Dear Bently,

Merry Christmas! Okay so Christmas is over but still! I can't believe it was our 3rd Christmas together! I think you had a good Christmas! At least I had an excellent one with you! :) Let's start on December 23, 2013.

We were going to go see lights at Temple Square. I was excited to say the least. Mostly excited for you. I've learned as a parent making your kids happy is way more exciting than making yourself happy. You loved Christmas lights so I knew you would love Temple Square. We all piled in the car and headed to Arctic Circle to eat some dinner! We were running a little late and I was already worried about time. Well to make a long story short, we got a fender bender. No Christmas lights for us. You didn't cry or anything, but Dad asked you if you were okay and you said no. Hopefully you're not too scarred for life! ;)

Christmas Eve you had a blast. You got to open presents which you were extremely excited about. You learned fast the joy of unwrapping those things. :) The Hyers gave you a wagon and you sure enjoyed ridding in that thing. You looked adorable with your cheeks all red from the cold and your blue eyes lit up in excitement!

We spent the rest of the night at Aunt Pualynn's house. It was loud but fun. We had dinner and sang songs. You had a blast running around with the 14ish other kids that were running around. You can definitely tell that you don't have much interaction with other kids. I felt bad watching you try to fit in. I really got to find something for you to do with other children. But over all you held your own. :)

Christmas was more magical then I could ever describe. Number 1 you slept in till 10:30 am. That was mostly due to the fact that you didn't get to bed till after midnight. Once you were up you were ready to go! I wish I could put into words how much fun we had! I loved watching you open your presents. You were so excited for everything you got! Near the end you kept yelling "Where's mine?" You wanted more presents! :) I think you actually like most everything you got this year! :) I loved loved spending Christmas with you Bently! You seriously had a blast and I had so much fun with you!

Love,
Mom

Dear Bently,

Yesterday we went and saw Christmas lights. Don't get me wrong, we've seen Christmas lights on houses and things but this is the first time we went and saw a lot of Christmas lights. It was kind of funny because I said "Bently do you want to go see Christmas lights?" "Christmas lights??? On the window." You said this as you pointed to the kitchen window. Yes we do have Christmas lights on our window but that is not what I meant.

We all loaded up and we were off. I wasn't sure how you were going to react because last year you were still pretty small. As we pulled up to the park you started to freak out. You were so excited! "Oooo Christmas lights! Go in there! Go Christmas lights!" We hadn't even pulled into the park yet and you were freaking out. :) The first thing we passed was a lit up manager scene. You kept asking, "What's that? What's that" We tried to tell you then you started to tell us, "Mama, Dada, Bently Elmer and Olivia!" So apparently we were all in the manger scene! We then went through a tunnel of lights which you informed us was a "cave". The whole time you were adorable! I kept filming little bits but my camera was dying! I wish I could've filmed more!

We ended up walking around the park with the Moreheads. I felt like the worst mother because I didn't bring you gloves! I honestly didn't expect it to be as cold as it was! Your little hands were like ice! I kept waiting for you to complain but you never did! You were having WAY too much! You ran around pointing out the animals and continually asking "What's that?" of course!

Seriously Bently last night was magical! There is nothing better than watching you have fun! I loved every second of it! Moments like that I wish could last forever! (Okay maybe not the cold part! ;) I love you little man! Thank you for constantly reminding me of the beauty in the world. Reminding me to look for the magic in everything.

Love,
Mom

Dear Bently,

Christmas is around the corner and I think we are pretty much done shopping for you. It's rough because I get nervous when it comes to buying you things. The things I think you are going to love you don't. ;( I don't know how I always get it wrong but hopefully this year I got it right! I can't even describe to you how excited I am for Christmas this year! You are at the most fun age! You are already excited and talk about it all the time! And sing Jingle Bells of course. It's the only holiday song you know so we hear it a lot! I've been trying to get you to sing up on the house top but it's not going so well! ;)

We asked you what you wanted for Christmas the other day.
Me: "Bently what do you want for Christmas"
Bently: "Chocolate!"

Every time we ask you, all you want is chocolate. I guess you are easier to shop for than I think and I should stop stressing! I promise, you are getting some chocolate! But you are also getting some pretty cool things with the chocolate as well!

I love you so much my handsome boy. Lately your talking ability has made leaps and bounds and it is so crazy to be able to have semi normal conversations with you. You are making sentences and making more sense! I am so proud of my handsome boy! You are adorable and I love you more than I could explain!

Love,
Mom

Dear Bently,

You started doing something super adorable, and then just like that it was gone. We would tell you "Bently don't do that." You would say "what?" Then we would repeat, "Bently stop it now." And you would go "Huh? What?" It was pretty hilarious watching you pretend like you couldn't hear us. I was actually a little sad when it didn't last! You only did it for a couple days! :( I love you my silly boy!

Love,
Mom

Dear Bently,

Today you ran away from me at the store. You know the rules, if you run away you get in the cart. Of course when I first put you in you started crying. But you quieted down unusally fast. I counted it as a blessing since Olivia was sleeping and I knew when she woke up we would have to go home because she would be hungry. Basically I was on a time limit. I had Olivia's carseat on the front part of the cart so you were in the actual basket. I couldn't see you over Olivia. I went to put something in the basket several minutes later and couldn't help but let out a rather large gasp at what I saw. You had opened a block of cheese and went to town! I started laughing. You must have been super hungry. I forgot to feed you lunch before we left. Ops! I wanted a picture with you and the cheese but you were too embarrassed. So just a picture of the cheese will have to do! You are hilarious my son and I love you so stinking much!

Love,

Mom

 

Dear Benlty,

You my son are going through a fears stage. Random things scare you. I am pretty sure it's because you are having nightmares. You cry out in your sleep and thrash around. We try and wake you up but even when you open your eyes it's like you are still asleep. I hate it! But I think these nightmares are giving you weird fears. The other day I was in your room getting you some socks when you come running in screaming and crying. You just keep telling me your scared. When I asked of what you told me the vacuum. The vacuum wasn't on it was just sitting in the hallway. I comforted you the best I could. But boy were you scared of that vacuum! I felt so bad to see you so terrified. You are in an expressing your emotions stage as well. I hate hearing your little voice say "I scared!" or "I sad". I like it better when you say I'm happy!

Speaking of which. I kept telling you cranky boys take naps. When ever you were crying or being a pain I would ask you "do you want to take a nap?" Which would usually help your behavior improve. Well one day I asked you, "Bently are you tired?" You immediately tell me "No, not tired. I happy!" It was hilarious! Now that's what you say every time. I think I confuse you thought because you try to use the same excuse at bedtime. I always have to tell you sometimes even happy boys have to go to sleep! ;)

You are surly adorable my son!
Love,
Mom

Dear Bently,

Not all things about motherhood come naturally to me. In fact practically nothing does. I have to learn most everything and work at it to become good. It's alright because you're worth it! Playing games with a 2 year old boy is one of those things that sure didn't come natural to me. I grew up with sisters and I sure do know how to play girly games. Learning how to rough house and play cars is a little different. But these past couple weeks I made a goal to play with you more. I hate to admit it but all too often I find me doing my thing and you doing your thing. I decided it had to come to an end. So we've been playing, singing, reading books, doing puzzles, and watching your favorite movies together. Now I'm not perfect at it. But I have been improving and so has our relationship. You have become a mommy's boy! I love it! You always want to be with me. When I'm sleeping in the day (because I'm back working graveyards, yuck!) you ask to wake me up. We have quickly become best friends! I have loved feeling closer to you! I love that you want to be with me just as much as I want to be with you! Thank you for these past couple weeks! We have had so much fun together and I love you more than anything in the world!
Love,
Mom

Dear Bently

Today I was short on patience. I was stressing and frustrated and to be honest I wasn't very nice to you! I feel so guilty now! I hate days like this. Days were I'm just not feeling 100% and my patience runs thin! I am so sorry little man. You mean the world to me and I hate days where I know I could've been a better mom. Thank you for loving me regardless. For not getting angry at me. For never loving me less. I am one lucky girl! Being your Mom is the best job in the world! I love you so much Bently!
Love,
Mom

Dear Benlty,

Today was a rough day. I was alone with you and your sister for 6 hours and in those six hours were rough. I was so overwhelmed. By the end of it I was just sitting in a chair not getting anything done rocking your crying sister. You came up and wanted to sit with me. At first I was like "NO!" But then I realized it's so rare that you want to cuddle with me. So with one arm and one leg I somehow managed get you in my lap. That's where you sat for a good half an hour. I just rocked my two beautiful babies and enjoyed every second of my snuggles.

I had walked all the way out to my car to head to work when I heard your little voice calling for me. I walked back towards the front door and their you were. Running towards me in bare feet and your pajamas. You wanted a hug from me before I went to work. You melted my little heart. You made my bad day 100% better just by loving me. I know I'm not the perfect mom. I am far from it. But you love me anyways. Thank you so much little man.

Love,
Mom

Dear Bently,

Today was Halloween!!!!! I was so excited for this Halloween. Mostly because you are finally at the age where you really get what's going on around you! We talke about Halloween all the time! Every single time we went to the store we had to walk through the Halloween section. You LOVED it! You mostly loved just pushing all the buttons. I'm pretty sure we're the reason the batteries ran out! I worry what we're going to do now that it's over. :( 

Today was really fun! You loved being Mickey Mouse. And you looked dang adorable as well!! Your dad was ya school all day so we hung out. You napped for most of it! I woke you up so you could watch me out the dry ice in the root beer. You thought that was pretty sweet. 

Trick or treating was alright. You were SUPER cranky for some reason. You even had a nap! Between each house you would cry because you wanted to eat the treats you just got! It was funny and annoying. We then went and visited grandmas. You loved it! 

I think overall you enjoyed Halloween. At least I hope you did! You never did get good at saying trick or treat. It's not that you couldn't say it. You just chose not to! Ah well maybe next year! 

I love you my handsome man! 

Love,

Mom

Dear Bently,

I have this problem. I feel like each letter should only focus on one main topic. But by doing that I forget to write you about all the other millions of things I meant to tell you about! So my son, this letter is going to be random and full of things I want you to know and I want to never forget! ;)

First off, when you grow up and start looking at pictures of this time period I know what you are going to say. You are going to say we love Livvy more than you because we have a MILLION pictures of her and like 2 of you. I would like to stop you right here right now. You my son are in a stage where you do not want your picture taken. I tried all morning to get you to take a picture with me. You kept saying, "No! No picture!" It's a constant fight. Unless of course you ask for the picture. Then you are just fine with having your picture taken! So don't even doubt you are loved equally, just not as photographed!

You love to help out. You are constantly saying Benlty help or I do it. When Livvy cries you often say "I hold her" while you stick your arms out. Your favorite thing to do is help with the dishes. We spend a ton of time together at the sink. You love handing the dishes to me and playing in the water!

You have started randomly singing. I stinking love randomly hearing your little voice singing. The other day at different moments I caught you sing "The ABC's" "Set Fire to the Rain" By Adele, and "This is Halloween". It was stinking hilarious. I need to get a video of you doing it! I love it!

I think that's all for now. I love you little man!

Love,
Mom

Dear Bently,

You are obsessed with getting your picture taken. It's sorta strange because you beg me to take your picture but then won't look at the camera or acknowledge it's there. I have a lot of pictures of you staring into space at random times of the day. One day when you see those pictures you will know why they exsist. It's all because you wanted them! 

We tried on your Halloween costume today and you loved it! In fact, you insists on wearing it to arctic circle to show dad! You are going to be one stinking adorable Mickey Mouse! :) 

I love you so much handsome boy!

Love,

Mom

Dear Bently,

You absolutely hate bed time. I mean hate it. Okay maybe I'm over exaggerating. But it feels like every night you fight it. You will cry at your door until we come in. I've tried everything in the book to help you go to bed easier and nothing helps. Tonight I came home on break at 10:20 and you were still awake! Frustrated I went into your room angry and ready for a fight. You were just standing there in your little monkey footy pajamas crying. All the sudden you were just a baby again! I know you are big but honestly 2 is not very old. I swooped you up in my arms, wiped your nose and laid down with you in your bed. I was sitting there rubbing your cheek when you reached up with your arm, grabbed my neck, and pulled me down and gave me a kiss. After that you closed your little eyes and fell asleep as I rubbed your hair. I then was a creepier and just sat there and stared at you. When did you get so big. How can you seem so big yet so tiny all at the same time. I may have cried a little bit. I was just so overcome with love for my little boy. I love you so so much handsome man! Thank you for loving me, even with all my flaws.
Love,
Mom

Dear Bently,

I'm not going to lie to you child, you are in a pretty difficult stage. You don't want to take naps and will yell and scream for hours on end when I try. But then because you don't take naps you end up really cranky all day long. And when you're tired you turn violent. You hit me, your Dad, Livvy, random kids at Arctic Circle, I mean everyone. You throw tantrums when you don't get your way. You scream and cry when we leave something you wanted at the grocery store. You run away from me at Walmart and you are constantly telling us "no" or "go away" or "stop that mom". Some days I just want to pull my hair out. Some times I loose my temper and I am sorry little man. I hate it when I do that. But some days are magical. We play and smile and laugh together. You want to know what makes those days better than others? Sure you still throw tantrums and get mad at me, but I start off with the right attitude. I approach the day like everything is going to be awesome! And most of the time it is! It's a lesson I'm learning about having a good attitude! :)

I love being with you. I love it when we laugh together. As you get older and understand more we are laughing more together. The other day you were drinking out of your cup and you started to talk in this crazy voice into it. The cup made your voice echo and sound even more strange. We both had a good long giggle fit over it! It was pretty hilarious. :)

This letter is going to be super random but I want to tell you a story. Yesterday it finally happened. I lost you in Walmart. I try and let you walk around the store because you love it so much! It's quite a sacrifice to let you do this. You are constantly pulling things off the shelf, throwing things in the cart, or running away. But I like to give you the chance to be good. I always tell you "Bently if you run away, you have to sit in the cart." You hate sitting in the cart. Yesterday you were doing good. You were staying with me and not touching everything in site. Well one second I'm looking at an outfit for Livvy and the next second your gone. Now usually when this happens I yell your name and you come running. Or I turn the corner and you are there. So I don't panic at first and call for you. I don't hear anything in return. I start walking around and can't find you anywhere. I'm trying not to panic, but I can't help it. My heart is beating fast and I'm running around like a crazy person calling for you. Finally after what seems like a lifetime (it was maximum like 4 minutes) I went to the dressing room and told the Walmart employee I lost my child, I hoping they wouldn't judge me too harshly. I tell them your a blonde haired two year with a monsters inc shirt on. Within 2 minutes they find you. You were looking at the toys in the baby section. I should've known. I stand anxiously at the fitting room waiting for them to bring you to me. Longest minute of my life. Finally they turn the corner and the nice lady is holding you. She told me you wouldn't come to her at first but then she asked if you wanted to go find your Mommy and you went right to her. I was so grateful to see you. I knew that you were probably fine but that didn't stop your Mommy from having an anxiety attack. I love you so much Bently! You are my whole world and I never want to loose you! I think we'll be sticking to the cart from now on!

Love,
Mom

Dear Bently,

You my son LOVE music. I don't know if I've written about it before but you do. You can sing to almost every song in on the radio. I love hearing your little voice trying to sing along to the music! :) As adorable as it is, it does come with some drawbacks. For instance, now you have an opinion on what we need to listen to. If I switch the song and you like that song, you end up screaming your little head off. "NO! Not this one!" The screaming continues until I give in and let you listen to the song. It's pretty hilarious. I honestly don't mind. Because I love hearing you sing to the radio. What I do mind is you don't let me sing! I don't know if I have a really bad voice or what, but you'll yell "No mama sing!" Now that one is quite annoying! ;)

Love,
Mom
p.s. I don't think my singing is that bad. I think you are picky.

Dear Bently,

Today we watched Wreck it Ralph together. It was right before I had to leave for work. The movie literally ended with 3 minutes to spare. The music at the end was pretty darn awesome. It was just begging for a dance party. So you and I started rocking out. Dancing like crazy people. Your little giggle filling the air. After a couple minutes I knew I had to leave. I gathered my stuff and then went back to the family room to kiss you goodbye. I found you on the couch with Livvy kicking her leg, helping her dance. It was seriously the cutest thing ever. As I walked back in you insisted I dance with you some more. So I was a little late to work because I know my dance parties with you won't last forever. Today was a hard day leaving you. Today I wanted to stay home with you and Livvy and dance like crazy people! I treasure every single moment I get with you son. I love you more than you'll ever know!
Love,
Mom

Dear Bently,

We drive down main street pretty much every single day. Usually multiple times a day. We'll go to Arctic Circle that way or to the bank or any number of places. Every single time we are driving I hear your little voice pipe up "Mama, Doctors!" You exclaim it so proudly and with so much enthusiasm. We went to the doctor in that building for your Dad 1 time and you have never forgotten. You do the same thing with the Park we pass and the churches. (There are a lot of churches) Every time you are so proud of yourself for recognizing these places. You will not stop repeating it until I answer you. Your dad and I have gotten in the habit of stopping mid conversation and saying "yes Bently the doctors" and then picking up right where we left off. The other day I was thinking how it was getting a wee bit old. But then I realize one day you won't do that anymore. You won't think to mention the doctors or park or various churches and I'm going to miss it. So I'm going to work on appreciating the small things. Because they'll be gone one day. I love you so much Bently! I love your cute little voice and I love how much more you talk now! I can't get enough of my cute boy!
love,
Mom

Dear Bently,

The other day your dad pointed out that your eye was slightly swollen. I'm a pretty laid back Mommy and didn't think too much about it. The next morning it was worse. Way worse. It was almost swollen shut. I decided we should get it checked out and off to the doctors we went. Turns out it's nothing more than a sty. I was glad you were okay, especially because I have spent WAY too much time giggling at you. And I may or may not have been calling you Quasi all day! ;) I'm sorry son but you look pretty hilarious. I think once you see yourself one day when you're older, you'll laugh too!
Love,
Mom

Dear Bently,

You are sick. Like really sick. Like more sick then you've ever been in these past 2 1/2 years of life. You are running a 100 degree fever and coughing! We took you in today and you have croup! :( We've been spending a lot of time babying you and giving you as much cuddles as we can! I miss my happy energetic Bently. Mostly you just sit on the couch and cry. I feel so bad! I would take it myself if I could! (Which I might start feeling your pain soon because I have a cough creeping up on me! ;) I love you so much Benlty man! I promise to do all I can to help you feel better! You were up every 30 minutes last night just crying! I hope tonight goes a little more smoothly so we can all get some good sleep! I love you so much handsome!
Love,
Mom

Dear Bently,

I have been a little slacking at writing you lately. I am one busy Mama since going back to work. I'm still working on juggling being a full time dispatcher and a full time mama of 2! It's hard work but I'm slowly getting better and better! :)

 

Bently we have been having some fun times lately! When Livvy was first born I was afraid to take her many places. #1 because she was little and #2 because I was terrified to have you both by myself outside of the house! But once I started getting out, I became more and more brave! Now you and me and Livvy have lots of fun adventures together! :) Here are just some of the adventures we've had over the past week or so! :)

 

The above picture is us at the park! Livvy was sleeping in her stroller so I actually had the chance to play with you instead of just sitting back and watching you play! We climbed the rock wall together and road on the bouncy toys and jumped on the bridge and even managed to fit down the tube slide together! :) I had so much fun playing with you and being a kid again! :) It was seriously a blast!!! :) I never want to forget your cute smile and contagious laugh! You are so incredibly cute at this age! I love listening to you talk and I love being the reason behind your cute smile! :)

I was the cool mom and put some food coloring in shaving cream and let you pant the bath tube! You are such a funny kid. You would dip only your one finger in at a time. I expected you to go crazy but nope that's just not you. Mostly because you hate having your hands dirty. We most of the time feed you finger food because you don't like things are your hands! You are too funny! I loved listening to exclaim "I painting! I painting!" I think you liked it and I felt like the cool mom!

We walked to the park together! Now that was an adventure. We didn't have the stroller and thus spent a lot of time stopping and looking at different things. On this walk you discovered fire hydrants. The first one we ran into you asked "what's that?" and I responded, "a fire hydrant." You then mimicked me " Oh a fire hydrant!" Then in typical Bently fashion and exclaimed "a hug! A kiss!" You then proceeded to hug and kiss it! You hug and kiss everything. I take no responsibility for all the germs you are probably encountering with this habit! I love watching you learn and explore your world! I love you so incredibly much you cute kid!

Love,

Mom

Dear Bently,

You say the cutest things! In the morning you get up and yell at us from your room. "Mama. Dada. Where are you?" It's the cutest thing ever! You also will ask us all the time where things go. Like, "Where truck go?" I usually tell you I don't know and your respond, "truck go home?" it's pretty hilarious. You always think people or things go home or to the bathroom. I'm pretty sure the bathroom one is from when I was pregnant and I was always in the bathroom! ;)

You are adorable! :)

Love,
Mom

Dear Bently,

We went to the zoo on Friday because I really really wanted to go! We haven't been in about a year and I love the zoo. You'll learn soon enough that your mother is basically a 5 year old at heart! Right now we like most of the same things! Including the zoo!!! Last time you would look at the animals for about 5 seconds before wanting to run to the next exhibit. I was anxious to see how you would react this time.

We told you the day before we were going to the zoo and you were pretty darn excited! We started the day off with doughnuts at Dicks market. Whenever we pull up to Dicks you immediately start talking about doughnuts. It's pretty stinking cute! After doughnuts and chocolate milk we were off to the zoo. The first animals we ran into were the monkeys. I knew from that moment on that you were going to love the zoo! You were so excited about the monkey!!! Then you decided you needed to give the monkey a hug and a kiss! You did this by leaning up against the glass and then kissing the glass. It was too cute. And a little gross. Can you imagine how many little kids have touched that glass. Yuck! :)

The rest of the day was just magical. I love doing outings with you! You were so adorable looking at all the animals. You knew what most of them were! You love animals! Oh I totally forgot! On the way to the zoo we asked what you wanted to see and you said a zoo keeper! We thought that was pretty cute and kept pointing out zoo keepers to you! We even got a picture of you and a zoo keeper!

I love you so much! I can't wait for more outings with you! Keep being cute! ;)

Love,
Mom

Dear Bently,

Tonight I went into your room and did one of my favorite things ever. I watched you sleep and just marveled at how perfect you were and how much I love you. I can't even begin to describe how much I love you! As I sat there watching you, I realized how old you are getting. I have a very short while until you are a big boy. I know you'll always need your mommy, but eventually you aren't going to need me as much. You'll become so much more independent. You'll face challenges and heart ache. But I hope you always remember the love I have for you! I hope that is enough to get you through some of those hard times! I love you son! 

Love,

Mom

Ps. I don't know how you sleep like this! Squished to one side by all your friends but you do! Too cute!!! 

Dear Bently,

We've been spending lots of time at arctic circle, mostly due to your dad working there. :) it's been interesting to watch you get older and mature. At first you wouldn't go near other children. You were too scared. (Probably for good reason! Those big kid can run you over.) now though, it's become a play date every time we go! You somehow always find a friend to play with! And even if you don't find a friend you just follow the big kids around! You are always SO happy. It makes my momma heart burst watching you giggle and run around! I hope you are alway outgoing and social! :) you are so adorable and sweet my little Bently Elmer. I love you more and more every single day! 

Love,

Mom

Ps. You are not a monster like the mean little girls told you you were. It made the lion in me want to smack those little girls! You were just being nice! 

Dear Bently,

Every night you wake up multiple times a night for a drink. It's not my favorite habit you have developed! ;) But sleeping Bently is a special little person. All the sudden you are cuddly and want to be held. You are the independent two year old you are any other time of day. You are my sweet little baby again. I'm not gonna lie, I kind of love it! I love you so much handsome man! Don't you ever forget it!!

Love,

Mom 

Dear Bently,

Today I took you and Olivia shopping at Walmart. I decided to let you walk by me because you really wanted to and you've been doing pretty good at sticking with me. I was looking at some clothing when all the sudden I hear you screaming. I turn around to find you gone. I knew you were close and I quickly began looking for you! I saw you running in the opposite direction screaming and crying for me! I yelled your name and you turned around, tears running down your face! It broke my heart to see you so panicked! I quickly scooped up my little boy and have him a big hug! Grateful to have you in my arms again! I reminded you that I am your mom and I am never going to leave you! I am always here for you son! I love you so incredibly much! I hope you always come to me when you are lost or scared. 

Love,

Mom

Dear Bently,

I am not going to sugar coat things. You are In a pretty rough stage. You are testing your boundaries and it sure has been rough! Mostly rough for poor miss Olivia. Gentle is not a word you quite understand yet. ;) Those first couple weeks after Olivia were pretty hard on your mom. I think part of it was culture shock. I went from working full time to being home full time. I didn't know how to handle one kid, let alone two. At times I felt so overwhelmed. There was a lot of time out for both of us! Thank you for loving me through my shortcomings! No matter how many times I messed up or lost my temper, you never stopped loving me. I am so grateful for your endless love and patience for your mama! 

Oh and I am happy to report we are much better now! Now I love being home and even are attempting to come up with some sort of schedule. :) I with I could be home with you all the time! 

I love you Bently Elmer! More and more every day! Thank you for being the adorable funny little boy you are!!! :)

Love

Mom

Dear Bently,

You are officially a big brother! You love your little sister so stinking much! Now all we got to teach you is how to be gentle! You try but you just haven't managed to do it yet. You are so rough with poor little Olivia! Good thing she's tough! ;) I can't wait for the day I can watch you two run around together. I pray you two will be best friends! :)

You are so cute Bently. Your talking gets better and better all the time! You say so many funny things! I really need to start writing them down! You are so sweet and cute and I just love being your mom! You're growing up too fast my little man! Please try and slow it down! 

Love,

Mom

Dear Bently,

You are still struggling with sleeping. Getting you to sleep every night is pretty much the end of the world for you. You cry and scream and cry some more. We sneak out of your room thinking you're asleep and as soon as we leave and shut the door you are screaming your baby head off. It's very frustrating for your Mom and Dad. We've learned if we sit beside your bed then you'll fall asleep. So a couple nights ago I sat there and sang to you and rubbed your back as you slowly began to close your eyes. I was anxiously looking around the room, ready to leave, when it hit me. We are in the final days of just being a family of 3. You're sister should be here anytime now. I immediately spent the rest of the time just staring at your cute face. As excited as I am to add a sibling into the mix, it's a little bitter sweet. I have loved our little family of 3. I love getting to spend all my time and attention on you! I love being able to focus 100% on Bently! You are my only child that will get such a privilege. I'm really going to miss it! I want you to know how much I love you. How much I have loved spending the past 27 months as just your mom. Watching you learn and grow has been the greatest happiness of my life. You are my happiness. I love you more than I could ever put into words. :) So as I try and be patient waiting for your sister, I will relish in our last few minutes together, with you as an only child!

Love,
Mom

Dear Bently,

We recently celebrated your THIRD fourth of July! Can you believe it! I can't! Every year with you the holidays get more and more fun! As you get older and start to understand you are more fun to watch! You loved the parade! And you didn't get hit in the head with anything this year! ;) It hurt my mommy heart a little bit to watch you struggle for those few pieces of candy. You were so proud of yourself when you managed to grab a piece from those big kids! And I couldn't help but be proud too! :) You were so excited for every piece of candy! And you have enjoyed eating them too! ;) After the parade ended we had a hard time convincing you to not run out into the road! Regular traffic is zooming by and you're standing on the curb waving your hands yelling "candy! Candy!" Too cute and funny! ;)

I think you had a fun 4th! We went to the little fair they have in the park where we got a frog! We let you hold it in the little ziplock bag and I give that frog kudos for surviving your shaking and poking! Then it was off to your Aunt Shawna's for dinner and their kiddy pool! You loved it!

I was nervous for the firework but you loved them! Every time there was a pause you would say "more again!" you just couldn't get enough! I think you get that from me!! :)

I sure do love you son! I love spending holidays with you and watching you have fun! :) It's a good day if you're happy!!

Love,
Mom

Dear Bently,

You have begun to do something I didn't think you would ever do. You willing will hold our hands. Of course only when you want to but still! I love just walking along and then feeling your little hand come into mine! I stinking love holding hands with you!!! :) And watching you and Dad walking around holding hands is pretty adorable also! :)

Love you so much!
Mom

Dear Bently,

Within the past couple days you have learned to jump with both feet. You are so proud of yourself and have turned into a jumping fool! You jump everywhere! It's pretty hilarious! Today you began jumping on the bed! You constantly say "I jump" as you jump around like a monkey! You are hilarious kid. As your vocabulary gets better you just get funnier! ;) I super love you and the cute way you say things! I feel so blessed to be your mama!
Love,
Mommy

Dear Bently,

I feel bad that I haven't written here for a long time. To be honest your Dad is home with you every day all day. I feel like he is much more qualified to write letters to you! But I'm going to write you a short one right now. It's going to be more like a list. A list of all the things I Love about you at this age. Because honestly, you are at a pretty hilarious and awesome age! I love every second I get with you. Okay here is my list in no particular order. :)

-I love how you say "ready, set, go!"

-I love how you sing in the car. Your little baby voice belting out with the radio is my favorite. Your Dad and I just sit there and listen to you smiling at each other. Both of us thinking, "man our kid is the cutest thing ever!" Even if you don't know all the words you still belt it out there. I hope you always keep that confidence!

-I love how you say "where it go?" every time you can't find something. Such as, "truck? Where it go?" Then when you locate the missing object you go "There it is!" In a super enthusiastic voice that just melts my heart! :)

-I love how you have to sleep with 5 different stuffed animals. To be honest this is a love hate relationship for me. It started with one stuffed animal. Then slowly one by one more were added. The latest addition is a huge, I mean bigger than you, Monkey or Duck. You have to choose one or the other because they're too big to both fit in your bed! It completely random which one you choose on any given night. They have to all be there in a particular order. You list them each off to us and we tuck them in beside you. "Dog, glow worm, elmo's word, giraffe," and then of course "monkey or duck". Lately you instead monkey or duck is held when we sing you goodnight songs and they must pray with you. Seriously your bed is so crowded I have no idea how you sleep!

-I love how you pray. I thought 2 was too little to really get into praying but boy you actually kind of like it. We've been saying prayers with you every night for as long as I can remember. But as your talking improves so does your prayers. You say "Dear Heavenly Father" all by yourself. Then you always say, "Thank you...this day". Then Dad and I usually have to promt you on what to say next. We'll say "Thank you" and then randomly you'll shout out something your thankful for! I love hearing all the things that are important to your two year old self. These things rang from papa, to your Dad and I, to slides, to park, to McDonalds, to pirates, and everything in between. It is too sweet and I love listening to you pray!

-You have a habit at night time or when asked that you list of things you did that day. It's adorable to hear your baby voice go through the things that stuck out to you. People you saw, or things you did. I love when you want to tell me about your day! It makes me extremely happy!

-I love your baby giggle. I love being the reason that you are giggling. I love making you happy! ;)

-I love how you have 2 huge cowlicks! Seriously, your hair never lays flat and I love it. I love how you look like peter pan all the time. I love how it's even worse in the mornings after you've slept on your hair at night. You always have epic bed head!

-I love how you have gotten into a stage where you want to wear hats! :) You look adorable in hats and I am not complaining about the extra coverage you receive from the sun!

-I love your blue eyes. Random I know but I do. They are the deepest shade of blue. You are going to be a lady's man I know it! ;)

-I love how you say "thank you" and "you're welcome". You are a very polite child, mostly because I insist it be so! ;) You went through a stage where you would say both parts. You would ask for something and once we handed it to you, you would say "thank you" then before we could say you're welcome you would shout out it. Now you are better but you still get confused sometimes. We'll hand you something and you'll say "you're welcome' instead of "thank you" Either way it's adorable!

-I love that you love cooking with me! This is something I always imagined doing with my kids and now I get to do it with you! You really love pouring the ingredients into the bowl! You're favorite part is the eggs! You always wish there were more eggs to put in!

-I love how you say "more again" when you want something. You say this when you want more food or another drink or you want us to throw you on the bed again! It's pretty stinking cute!

-I love how you say "whoops" when you trip or fall.

-I love how you say "I funny" randomly when you do something!

-I love how you talk on an invisible cell phone all day everyday. Okay so sometimes it's not always invisible. Anything around you can be your cell phone. You sit there and talk and talk and talk. It's adorable!

-I love/hate how you call for us. Lately you've had a hard time sleeping. So as soon as we leave your room you'll run up to the door lay on your stomach and shout at us from the crack underneath the door. It's heart breaking hearing your little crying voice yell at "Mom help please!" or "Dad I sad!" It's so hard not to run to you!!

-I love how you stand in the corner. Once again it's stinking cute!

-Again I love/hate how you ask "what's that" 100 times a day. Seriously 100 or more times a day! You are always asking what things are. You find it funny and will ask us what things are even if you know what they are. You have even answered yourself before. You'll be like "what's that" and if we don't answer you'll say "chair". You are too funny!

-You are obsessed with windows right now and talk about them all the time. Not sure why exactly...

-I love how you have gotten to the stage where things are owned by people. You'll go around the table for example and point at my plate and say "mama's plate" then point to Dad's "Dada's plate" and then to your own, "Bently's plate". :)

-I love your kisses and hugs! Before I leave for work you'll come to me and give me loves. If I start to leave without giving you one (because you are refusing to come to me) you freak out and run to me saying "a hug a hug!" Then after we hug you say "kiss". I love getting loves from you! :) Makes my little mama heart melt!

All right this list turned out a lot longer than I expected! I just love every cute little thing you do and don't want to forget any of them! :) I hope one day this list is interesting to you! ;) I love you more than ever!

Mom

Dear Bently,

Today is mother's day! I just wanted to sit down and write you a little letter. Seeing as you are my first child, you made me a mother. You have been my experiment child. I have learned everything I know so far about being a Mom from you! To be honest when I first found out I was pregnant, I was not happy. I didn't think I was ready, and to be honest I wasn't. But as soon as you were born, I knew there was nothing I wanted more in the world than to just be a good mother to you! Be a Mom is more wonderful, magical, scarier, and harder than I could've ever imagined! I love being your Mom Bently man. I love watching you grow and learn. I love getting hugs and kisses from you! I love it when you tell me you love me or shout my name from the other room. I love when you run to me when you're scared or reach to me to pick you up. I love that you love me so much because I love you more than you'll ever know! Thank you for letting me be your Mom. Thank you for every wonderful time we've ever had together! I can't even explain how much you mean to me! How much my heart melts every time I'm around you! I love you my Bently man! :)

Love,
Mom

Dear Bently,

You are 2 today! I can't even believe it! Seriously where did the time go! I swear just yesterday you were a tiny little baby! Now you walk and talk and have your own little personality! We're not doing anything today for your birthday, sorry! We're doing all the celebrating this weekend and I can hardly wait! See we bought you a slide and I think you are going to be extremely excited! You LOVE slides! I can't wait to see you playing on it! :)

Happy Birthday little man! I hope you know how much your Mama loves you!

Mom

Dear Bently,

I hate it when children whine. Seriously it drives me crazy. So when you reached the age and started to beg for things I knew something had to change. So a couple months ago we taught you to say this sentence when you want your milk, "Can I have some milk please." At first we would have to feed the sentence to you word by word. Then you only needed to be prompted. Now you use this sentence like a champ. The funny thing is, the sentence is now used for more then just milk. You will randomly interject anything you want in there. The other day your Dad walked out of the room for a minute. Suddenly you looked at me and said, "Can I have some Dada please!" It was hilarious. I laughed and laughed at you! You are just the cutest kid in the entire world! I love watching your vocabulary expand! :) It's been the highlight of my past several months is just listening to you gain your voice! :) Thanks for keeping me smiling!

Mom

Dear Bently,

I've been having a rough couple days. My whole entire life all I've ever wanted to be was a stay at home mom. But certain situations outside of my control have so far prevented me from doing that. With your 2nd birthday coming up in a few short weeks I can't help but feel sad at all the time I didn't get to spend with you because I had to work. I miss you so much when I'm not with you. I miss getting to see your first and hear all the funny things you say. Let me tell you, being a working Mom is not easy and I admire all the woman that can do it. The only thing that keeps me going is knowing it's not going to last forever. I will make what ever sacrifices I need to to get home with my little boy. Until then I'm going to soak up every moment I can with you.

Today you fell asleep, as you do a lot, in front of your door. I pushed on the door till you woke up enough to move. You whined and reach up for me. I picked you up and started walking towards your bed when I realized I needed time with you. Even if you were asleep I needed to feel close to you. So I took your snugly sleepy self to my bed and that's where we spent the next hour. You slept the whole time but I spent a lot of it just looking at you. Marveling at how much you've grown and how big you seem to me. Wishing with all my might that I could keep you little. That I could make this moment drag on for the next year or so. Being a working mom has taught me to treasure the moments. The little things in life.

Bently I hope someday you'll read these and realize how much your Mom truly loves you. How much she loves watching you grow and learn. How much she wants the best for you always! I truly love you with all my heart and soul Bently.

Love,
Mom

Dear Bently,

You have a funny little quirk. We decided you were old enough for silverware and it has been the best choice we have ever made! I love being able to focus on my own dinner while you happily munch away on yours. You are still really bad with spoons but we'll get there.

The funny thing is you LOVE using your fork. No matter what we're eating you want your fork. Today, for example, I gave you a grilled cheese sandwich. I set the plate in front of you and then you adamantly demanded a "fork". No matter what I told you about using your hands and that it was okay, you weren't going to eat that sandwich till you got your fork. You ate the whole sandwich with your fork. It was pretty hilarious. I don't know why eating with silverware is so important to you but I don't mind at all. I think it's pretty darn adorable! :)

I love you so much Bently!

Mom

Dear Bently,

Happy Valentines Day!!! I want to take a moment to tell you a few of the reasons why I love you so much! :-)

* I love how you'll randomly grab my head and plant a kiss on my lips. You hold for a long time and then make a muah noise at the end. It always makes my day.

*I love how you'll cry when I leave. It sounds strange but nothing makes me feel more loved then knowing you're going to miss me!

* I love how you will come shut the door to the room I am in and say phrases like "love you" "See you later" "miss you". It's too cute and I love hearing you say things in your toddler way!

* I love how you dance in the car. You vigorously shake your arms and kick your feet!

* I love how you sing. You sing with every song whether you know the words or not you are belting it out there. I love it and I always just sit and listen to you!

* I love how whenever you see an ultrasound picture you say "sister". I know you don't know what it means but it melts my heart every time you say it!

* I love the mischievous grin you get on your face when you know you are doing something bad. It's so hard to be mad at you when you look so adorable being naughty!

I love being your Mom Bently. I love being with you every day and listening to you as you learn more and more words. I love you so much little man! Happy Valentines Day!!!

Mom

Dear Bently,

You have begun to sing. It's adorable. I seriously can't get enough. We tired to get it on video but of course you clammed up in front of the camera but don't worry I know we'll catch it eventually! You sing in your own jibber jabber randomly throwing a word out that you know. My favorite is listening to you sing "I am a Child of God". You know all the end words. God, Here, Home, Dear, ect. It's adorable! I used to switch up your goodnight songs but lately all I sing is that one because I love hearing you sing it! I know you're going to be the kid in primary that shouts out the songs with no fear. You sing loud and you smile. I can tell you are so proud of yourself. And to be honest, I'm pretty proud too! Feel free to serenade me anytime you want to! :)
You also have decided you are big enough to feed yourself and we do not need to help you. It started a couple mornings ago at breakfast. I always just feed us from the same bowl. Well this morning you started throwing a fit and wouldn't take a bite no matter what. I gave up, deciding to just feed myself when you reached over, grabbed the bowel, pulled it in front of you and picked up the spoon. Since that moment you have fed yourself. You're not always perfect and I have a hard time not helping you, but you are learning. And trying. You really aren't my baby anymore. I Love you so much!
Mom

Dear Bently,

It's 6 am. I have been up the past 2 hours with you. I don't know why but for some apparent reason you just didn't want to sleep. About 5:30 I started to cry with you. My pregnancy induced emotions and exhausted body didn't know what else to do. And as I climbed out of bed for the twentieth time that night I was frustrated. I'm not a perfect mama. I wish I was but I'm not. As I found myself in your bedroom I couldn't help but smile as you smiled when I walked in. I laid down by you and you cuddled up next me. True you didn't fall asleep but I sure enjoyed cuddling with you. I'm sorry for being frustrated. I'm sorry I'm not perfect. But I want to let you know I love you through it all. Even when my emotions aren't pretty that love for you is ALWAYS there and it always will be. You are the most adorable, sweetest, most amazing child I know and I am so incredibly thankful that I get to be your mom! I hope you know how much I love you! I will continue to work on my patience. And you continue on working on sleeping! :)
Love
Mom