Mommy Joy

Dear Bennett,

You are so wise. 

You are constantly teaching me...which is weird because isn't it supposed to be the other way around?  Every day, you behoove me to practice patience and surrender, and I cannot thank you enough for that.  I'm becoming a better person because of you.

The past two days you've woken up at 4:30...reminding me of your 4-5 month old days.  I'm pretty sure pesky tooth number two is wreaking havoc on your poor defenseless little self.  I'm sorry baby.

I used to gripe while looking at the clock, still half asleep, stumbling down the hall to try and shush you back to sleep.  But now...it's different.

I don't care what time it is. 
I don't care how tired I am. 
I honestly miss you at night and can't wait til you wake up anymore...like a little kid on Christmas or something.

You are becoming such a little person now it's almost taking my breath away.  This weekend you showed everyone your crawling (or scooting, rather) skills and I honestly never get sick of people telling me how GOOD you are.  I feel like in every stage of your life so far, I've always said "This is my favorite stage"...only to be superseded by the next.

...in short, you never cease to amaze me my love.

Along with saying "Dada", you've also started mumbling "Nana"...which I'm going to go out on a limb and pray means "Mama"...am I right?

Well my baby, thank you for constantly enlightening me.
Thank you for bringing me the greatest mommy joy imaginable.
...and thank you for being you.

Love always,
"Nana"

Some days...

Some days you need it more than others...today is one of those days.





deep breaths.
eyes closed.
open mind.
clear heart.

-Catie

5 New Things

Oh my goodness...this week has been off the charts when it comes to Bennett's progress.  I honestly don't have words.  Within the past 7 days Bennett has become more and more like a little person it's almost hard to keep up.

As I mentioned, last Sunday, our little Benny started waving...seriously the cutest thing ever.  It's such a sweet little lazy wave that he does with his right hand.  I almost can't take the cuteness.

Second, our little man has started scoot scooting.  Let the baby proofing begin!  Its the funniest thing to watch since he always tries to crawl from a sitting position rather than on his tummy.  He'll be sitting and the best way I can describe it is he'll turn one leg back, sitting like how cheerleaders pose in photos and throw his arms forward then start rocking back and forth until: 1. He flings himself forward and crashes onto his tummy or 2. Can't get his one leg out from beneath him and gives up. I'm sure i'll have video of this magic soon...hopefully!

Third, much to Chad's delight, Bennett began to say "Dada"...but instead of Dada, he wants to make sure we hear him and repeats it numerous times "Dada Dada Dada Dada"...don't worry Bennett, it's hard NOT to hear you.  Any time he's playing and looks at Chad or I, he shows us his toy and babbles "Dada Dada"...ugh. I DIE!

Fourth, our little monster learned to clap!  And now, everything is a celebration.  A diaper changes gets an applause.  Playing with toys gets a good cheer.  Long story short, Bennett is obsessed with clapping.  It's so fricken cute how excited he gets and starts slapping his hand together.  However, in true Bennett fashion, his clap consists of slapping one hand on top of this other back and forth...almost like he's disciplining himself haha...such a silly little man!

Fifth and finally...the day has come.  Ladies and gents, after months of chewing and crying and red fingers and hands...we have a tooth.  On Saturday while feeding Bennett breakfast, I notice he kept biting down hard on the spoon, as if he had a grip on it.  I popped my finger in his mouth and sure enough felt a rough, jagged tooth poking through.  The rest of Saturday and all day Sunday, our little man was less than thrilled and lets just say many tears were shed, but luckily this morning that pesky tooth was finally through.  Thank goodness!!  However, I really hope the rest of his teeth aren't as traumatic as this one was.  Fingers crossed!

Thats all for now!

-Mommy Anaya

He Waves, He Waves.

7 Whole Months!

Sheesh kid, when did you get so grown up? 

Last night, on the eve of  your 7 month birthday, your daddy and I decided to walk to dinner at Marmalade Cafe, just down the street from our apartment.  You absolutely LOVE Marmalade Cafe because you know that mommy always lets you munch on bread rolls while we are there.

Sitting cozy munching away, your daddy noticed you doing something that literally made me melt.  You started waving at us.  Just out of nowhere.

Honestly, when did you get so big??

We were so shocked and were cracking up as you sat there shoving your doughy bread roll into your mouth with one hand and ceaselessly waving at us with the other.  You even caught the attention of the table next to us and started waving at them too.

You make my heart swoon Bennett and you are becoming such a little person now that I can't help but be so incredibly excited for what's next.

This morning when I woke you up, I turned on your light and walked over to your crib...only to be greated by your sweet little wave again.  Ugh...you kill me.

You turn 7 months old today and that is just such a hard pill to swallow.  You're now closer to being a year old than a newborn.  I sometimes have to remind myself that you're not such a little guy anymore.  You're independent, joyful, and so so so incredibly wise.

Thank you for being such a pleasure my love.

Happy 7 Months,
Mommy

(note:  my best attempt at a waving photo...oh well, I tried)

Promises

Dear Bennett,

One day you'll learn the unmistakeable caliber of a promise.  The importance of a vow and committing to one's word.  Let me be the first to tell you, that promises come in all shapes and sizes, my love - but don't let that shake the significance of one's pledge to you by any means.

Throughout your life, I promise you'll make, break, and take promises.  See, right there...a promise. 



I promise that some will be great...like the really good ones.  The promises that make your heart want to leap out of your chest...like when your Daddy promised to be mine forever, or when God promised your life to us.

Those are my favorite.

...and unfortunately, some will hurt, especially when promises are broken.  But trust in me and trust in this promise that they will only make you stronger than you already are.

As your mommy, I promise the world to you, because truthfully Bennett, you are mine.  You and your Daddy are my everythings.  The air in my lungs and the blood in my veins. You both have taught me a love that can only be described as well...undescribeable.

I promise from now until my very last breath to be nothing short of what you need.  Because your's and your Dad's needs come first.  My needs are your needs...because you two are really all I need. 

I promise to give and continuously envelop you with love.  To catch you when you fall and encourage you when you struggle.  To teach you like you teach me and exude the joy that you inherently bring to my soul.

I love you baby bear...I'll love you forever.

...I promise.

xoxo,
Mommy

No more monkeys jumping on the bed...

Dear Bennett,

You.
Are.
Crazy.

...but you also make Mommy and Daddy seem crazy when we tell people how loud, hyper and boisterous you are...then among others, you are your quiet, shy little self.

What's up with that???

Well kid, you've been caught.

Recently we've moved your bed down because we feel like you pulling yourself up is going to happen before we know it.  Like I said, you're crazy.  You've been lunging for things without caution and trying to jump out of arms like someone with a death wish.  You also keep trying to stand...hurling your self up onto your feet then crashing down, learning your lesson.  I'm actually nervous you may go right to walking and leave crawling in the dust like the hare does the tortoise.

Since moving your mattress down, you've discovered it has become much, shall I say, bouncier. Well Bennett, you've been caught. 

No more mister shy guy. 
No more, "oh he's so quite he never makes a peep."

Here's our proof!

Meet the real Bennett Brandon Anaya:

A few things...

If I were to tell you a few things about myself...I'd tell you:

...that I'm a writer.  Uh huh, I know, everyone is a writer...just like everyone is an actor or model, but really...I have my degree in English Literature and one day wish to heave my thoughts and feelings onto paper in a way so utterly influential and relatable that it behooves readers to stay sucked in like...well, a good book.

I'd tell you that I wrote my first novel when I was 22 years old....only a handful of people have actually read it and I'm okay with that.  It's my metaphoric baby and very dear to my heart.

I'd tell you that as much as I'd love to be a writer for a living...I really could never stomach it.  The thought of someone telling you that work you spents hours on end pouring every ounce of your heart and soul into sucks...well that sucks just as bad. Trust me, I've felt it.

I'd tell you that I'd madly in love with my husband, now more than ever.  Seeing his relationship with Bennett only solidifies the decision I made to spend the rest of my days with him.  He's the most caring, hard-working, selfLESS person I know...Not to mention THEE funniest too.

I'd tell you that Chad is so funny, he makes me have what I like to call "explosive laughter"...the kind that stems from deep in your gut and is only released by those that really "get you".  The kind that makes you cry and smear make up down your face from giggling so hard.  Yes, that kind.

I'd tell you that Bennett is my everything.  He is my world, universe, moon and stars.  My night owl and sweet little lamb.  I feel his every emotion, like Elliott does ET.  My heart cries when he's in pain and it smiles when he's joyous.  I've learned a love that is literally indescribable until physically experienced.

I'd tell you that 6:00 AM is my favorite time of day.  The time of day I wake my sleeping monkey and spend incredibly necessary mommy and peanut time.  The time of day where we sit on the floor and drink coffee in our jammies, Bennett pretending of course.  The time of day he is so rested and alert and shouts at the top of his lungs, unbeknownst to him that it is merely 6:00 AM.

I'd tell you that im in love. 
In love with my husband.
In love with my baby.
And lastly....so so so in love with my life.

The end.

-Catie

Beautiful Things

A few of my current obsessions:

Gungor:






Baby Giggles:



Crystal Blue Peepers:

...half way through the week...a-thank you very much!

xo,

Catie