Dear Bently Elmer,

Kid, I love you. I love you so much it consumes me and I feel like I'm going to burst! You are my favorite little boy in the whole world and all I want to do is spend time with you. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Right now your Mom has to work 40+ hours a week, plus be a mommy, and a friend, and a wife. And I have to be a mommy not only to you, but to your very cute and very demanding little sister. As I sat here at work today, my mind was running over all the things I have to do the next couple of days. In the midst of the chaos in my mind I thought about you. My sweet innocent beautiful son who is often a tagalong to my many many errands, who is often ignored while I try and do the dishes, or finish a project, or work on the bathroom. My poor son who asks me "Mom do you want to play with me?" And while my whole heart wishes to exclaim yes, of course I do. I know my time is limited and there are things I have to do. As much as I hate it, I tell you no more often than not. Today, as I sat contemplating how much I miss you and just spending time with you, I decided it has to change. I can't do this anymore. I am making a goal for myself to spend more time with my Bently. To do more things that you enjoy. To make the sacraifices necessary to get the chance to play with you. I love you my beautiful boy. I promise to do better. I promise to spend more time with you. I love you little man!

Love,
Mom

Dear Bently,

You my darling boy are adorable! That's not to say you don't have your flaws, because you do. But you are just too cute for words. You say the sweetest things and always love to give us hugs and kisses. My favorite thing is you randomly tell us you love us! You actually do it quite often! It melts my heart every single time! Today I called you into the family room to say goodbye to me before I went to work. As you walked towards me and the open door you noticed it was raining. You said, "Okay it's raining, be careful!" It was seriously the most adorable thing ever! I scooped you up in my arms and your Dad and I just smiled at each other as I held you tight! I love you forever and ever sweet boy!

Love,
Mom

Dear Bently,

We celebrated another great 4th of July this passed Friday! It was amazing that both your Dad and I had it off work! Such a blessing considering the jobs we do! We had seriously the most amazing day. I had talked up the 4th of July to you so you were already pretty excited. All week you kept asking if we were going to the parade! Finally it was time. I couldn't wait to see your reaction and let me tell you, you loved it! You danced and sang and went after that candy with all the big kids. I loved watching you squeal and jump with excitement! And your dad, sat on his knees for like 45 minutes of the parade just so he could enjoy it with you. His knees were black and so soar by the end! You have a seriously dedicated dad! :)

After that we went home watched "Wreck it Ralph" with Aunt Stacey, Uncle Jesse, and Aunt Janaye. My favorite part of the day is you kept getting confused and telling your Dad, "Happy father day's Daddy!" It was so adorable we didn't have the heart to correct you half the time! I loved hearing it! :)

After Liv woke up from napping we played at Aunt Shawna's house. To be honest I barley saw you during this time. You played outside in the pool with your cousin Kara all day. It's hit or miss with you two, but that day, you got along just fine! I loved watching you guys be buddies! I love watching you develop relationships as you get older.

The fireworks were, crazy. You and Livvy were tired and you showed it. Once they started it turned out okay. I loved watching the fireworks go off while snuggling next to my cute family. I can't tell you how proud I am to be an American. We are seriously lucky to live in this country!

I love you Bently Elmer. Holidays just keep getting more and more fun. I love that you get excited for things and you are starting to understand more. I love you so much my son.

Love,
Mom

P.s. I can't believe how big you have gotten. Seriously kid, you are huge! ;)

Dear Bently,

Last Sunday night your Dad and I made a last minute decision. We signed you up for swim lessons. I was so excited. I honestly have been counting down the time where you could start lessons. I dreamed of watching you learn, and grow. I dreamed of you finding your own little friends in your classes. I dreamed of my mommy heart swelling with pride as you accomplished things on your own.

So as you can see, I was anxious and excited as we entered the pool that first day. I felt so old as they asked me my child's name. We walked back to the swimming pool and sat down, waiting to meet your instructor. Then he was there. Nate. A can't be older than 18 man with big smile. He called your name and without a look back you followed him into the pool. I sat there, shocked at how fast every thing had happened. I almost wished you would have clung to me, begged to stay by my side. But you were fine. You were happy. And me? I was crying. Hahaha! I was so incredibly overcome by the situation. It's funny how life works. I am obviously way more emotional than I think I am. I always think I'm not going to cry, but I do. I cried when we heard your heartbeat. I cried when you were born. I cried on your blessing day. I cried on your birthday, all of them. And I'm sure there are more that I am simply not thinking of.

The point of this long rambling letter, is that I cannot believe how old you are getting. I can't believe you are old enough to go do an activity with out me. I am excited for you, and I am a little sad for me. I know I am going to miss the days where you needed me for everything. I know that the challenges we face together are going to start to change. I know I am going to have to let you grow and learn more on your own now. But know, through it all, I love you so incredibly much. I love you more every single day I get to spend being your mother. I feel honored to be blessed with such an incredible sweet boy who I love more than my own life.

I love you my big boy!

Love,
Mom

Dear Bently,

Today you were my shopping buddy while Daddy stayed home with Liv. We went to Walmart and Smiths and then got snow cones! I can't even tell you how much I value time with just us. It's few and far between so I know I have to make it count! I asked you tons of questions and listened to your sweet little answers. I loved talking to you about what you saw. We held hands and jumped like crazy people down the aisles and pretended to be frogs together. As we walked out of Walmart I pointed out a BIG truck to you! You told me it was so big it could touch the sky! :) I love listening and getting glimpses into your mind! I love you so much Bently Elmer! I am constantly amazed by how wonderful and perfect you are. I have no idea how I got so lucky to get such a sweet little boy like you! You are adorable and I love you more than I could ever explain to you!

Love,

Mom

Us at the snow cone place!

Dear Bently,

Kid you are too funny. I say this all the time but your speech just is making leaps and bounds. I am always surprised by the things you know how to say. Yesterday you were pretending to be a coo-coo clock and I was like, "how the heck do you know what a coo-coo clock is?!" Today you woke up calmly got out of bed, walked out of the room, walked back in the room, and said "Mama wake up. Turn the dark off!" Which translated means turn the lights on. Hahaha! 


You have began this thing when you make your eyes go as big as possible as you talk. You do it mostly when you get excited or want our attention. It's pretty hilarious! I am trying very hard to catch it on video because it makes me laugh so hard. I hope you never stop doing it! Today you were helping me make waffles and we poured in a cup of milk. You exclaimed with your big eyes, "That's a lot of milk!"


I love you so freaking much! You make me laugh everyday and I love how our relationship is changing now that you can communicate more effectively. It's so fun to get a peak inside what you are thinking! :)


Love,
Mom

Dear Bently,

Your Daddy said you needed me today. I guess you woke up in the middle of the night and asked for me. You wanted your mommy! It made me happy and broke my heart all at the same time. I still count down to the day when I get to be home with you all the time. It may not be in the too near future but I know it's coming! After your Dad told me I just sat there by your bed and watched you sleep. I couldn't believe how incredibly perfect you are! You are one handsome boy! I held your hand and kissed you. :) I am so grateful for quiet moments with you. Even if you don't remember them, it's moments like these I will hold in my heart forever.  I love you handsome man more than you'll ever know!


Love,
Mom