Wow, what a year it has been. We are still witnessing the miracle as we watch Bentley grow each day. I am writing this after a week at the beach in North Topsail, NC with my family. So I am already feeling a little emotional (or "homesick" as my sister and I say) missing my family, but also feeling so blessed for such a great week at the beach. So tears are now streaming down my face as they have many times this past week as I've paused to reflect on our little/big Bentley. One name, one word can draw so much emotion and love in my heart. He just is...Bentley! An amazing, fun-loving, sweet, fearless, big-hearted (and big) boy who loves people and loves to light up a room. He definitely takes after his daddy in all of these ways, and it's nothing short of amazing to get to be his mama!
Some of the things I love most about him right now at 1 year are:
- his dancing (he swings his arms out wide and puts them straight behind his back and runs in a circle...kind of hard to explain so I need to post a video of it!)
- his kisses and hugs, many times unsolicited which are my favorites
- how he "jumps" without getting his feet off the floor and almost falls over trying to squat low enough to give him enough momentum
- watching him read books by himself in his room, pointing at the pages like I do, and talking in his own language
- his love for all animals and his uniform "growl" no matter what kind
- pointing to his belly and lifting his shirt to pat it
- watching him splash himself in the face in the bath and the pool
- running into the ocean and purposely doing a faceplant in the water because he loves it so much
- praying and saying "Ahm" at the end for Amen
- playing hide-and-seek and him getting so excited to come into the room and "find" me
- holding up something to his mouth that I have told him "no" for and then shaking his head no and saying "nah, nah, nah" and putting it down
And one of my absolute most favorite things is watching him greet Michel at the end of the work day when he gets home. He gets soo excited and does his vibrating laugh so hard he can hardly breathe, says "da-da, da-da" and claps his hands together and then runs to him. It brings tears to my eyes everyday!
Bentley, we are blessed to call you our son and are so grateful to God for giving you to us. You have already taught us so much and are helping to refine us in order to become more of the parents and people that God created us to be. We are amazed that we have the privilege of sharing in your life as your parents!
Here are a few pictures from his birthday party at the beach. We did a safari/Madagascar 2 theme since he loves animals and it takes place in Africa. Thank you Grandma and Aunt Julie for picking out his party ware! There are more photos posted on Facebook.
Definitely devoured his first cupcake!
Tigger is his new buddy...he gives him hugs and kisses every time he wakes up!
LOVED his keys from Aunt Jackie
Aunt Julie and her boyfriend Geoff showing him how to get in his new pool toy
Ready for hoops in his new sneaks (Davidson colors!)
He would not put his new laptop from Grandma and Grandpa down! The songs on it are already stuck in my head.
Learning with Papa
Sporting his new shoes at dinner that night.
