October 31st, 2012

Dear Damen Robert,

My thoughts are so scrambled, I have things I want to tell you but I can't seem to organize my words.

Today was a very tough day for me. Today it has been a year that Grandpa Jason has been gone. This should have been a happy day, Mommy's favorite holiday. Instead I was fighting sadness all day, trying to bury it so you wouldn't worry or be burdened by it. I try so hard to not let you and Daddy see me like this. I just really want you to know how much I love you.

We DID have a fun Halloween, even with you having a "sore cough". We hung around the house all day. You decided at the last minute that you wanted to be Mario again instead of a firefighter. At one house you ran up and said "Give me candy!". After each stop you asked, "can we go to the next house!?".

Without you, Daddy, and Rylee I wouldn't have been able to get out of bed. I want you to know how much your big smile and bright eyes keeps me going. For that I want to thank you, sweet boy.

I love you forever,
Mommy

October 26th, 2012

Dear Damen Robert,

Just a few minutes ago we were playing downstairs with Daddy. We were rough housing, playing like I was going to get you. You ran over to Daddy so you would be safe, and he devised a plan to chase me and hold me so you could get ME. Unfortunately you got a little too excited and at full speed socked me in the stomach with both hands. It kind of caught me off guard but I was okay. We got after you a little bit about playing too rough and not hitting.
Immediately after you walked in a sulking way towards the living room. You turned around and looked up at me with big puppy dog eyes and said, "I'm disappointed."

Oh. My. God.

You are the sweetest little thing I've ever met. You had tears in your eyes you felt so bad. How could anyone ever be mad at you?

I love you forever,
Mommy

October 22, 2012

Dear Damen Robert,

We have been very busy lately!! These pictures are from a trip up to a cabin we had last week. We stayed for three days and had a blast! You loved the trees, mountains, and animals. We stayed up there with Alicia, Lily, and Grandma. We hung around the cabin, went on walks, and explored around Hawley lake. This trip was such a good way to relax and stretch our legs. What a good weekend. :D
Besides camping, we've been going to the park pretty regularly and just plain hanging out. Mommy quit her job and isn't going back after maternity leave. This is scary and exciting. We aren't going to have as much money as we did, but I think it's important to stay home and hang with you. I already missed too much of your life, look at you. I turned around and you're three and a half. I won't miss out on any more of this important time. I can't sit back and watch someone else raise my babies.
You have been so good with your baby sister. Today we had the first accidental kick to the head, but you were trying to protect her. You sweet little thing, you were so sad that it happened. You went and hid your head in a pillow. Once we reminded you that it was an accident and you're the best big brother you were okay. Thank you for being such a badass little guy, and making our lives so great.

I love you forever sweet little man,
Mommy