Dear Bently,

A couple week back I started realizing mothers day was approaching and I had a child old enough to sing to me in Sacrament meeting. I was so dang excited. After awhile though it occurred to me that we weren't practicing any mother's day songs in primary. When I inquired about it I was told that ward didn't have the children sing. I was devastated. Luckily, seeing as I'm in the presidency, I mentioned it to the right people and suddenly, the primary was singing for the Mother's day! With the not singing crisis avoided I was over the moon excited.

Today was Mother's day. Now Dad worked so really Mother's day was just like any other day. EXCEPT my child was going to sing to me in Sacrament. I was so dang thrilled. I would get teary eyed just thinking about my little boy up in front singing to me! Your Dad even got up to come and watch you sing in Sacrament for the first time! The time came and at first you were a little confused and tried to leave the Sacrament room. But we turned you around and got you headed in the right direction. Imagine my excitement when you stood in front right where I could see you. You smiled at us and we quietly waved. The prelude music started and I glanced down at Olivia for a second. When I looked up, you were gone. I couldn't see you anywhere. Your Dad informed me that you had walked behind some kids. The whole song you were not visible. I was devastated. My pregnancy emotions were pretty powerful and I may have even gotten a little teary eyed over the whole situation. When the song ended I asked you where you had gone. You told me you were standing by the microphone. You just wanted to be heard. You sweet thing. I still love you even if I couldn't hear or see you sing in Sacrament. Good thing Father's day is in a month! There's always a second try. Even if you won't be singing to me! ;)

I love you son! I am so grateful that I get to be your mother. I'm grateful for you making me a mother first. You sure are my guinea pig child and I love you all the more for it!

Love,
Mom

Dear Bently,

We had a busy couple of days that's for sure! With your dad being off for his surgery we decided to go down to davis county for a couple days. Before we couldn't stay out long. This time we stayed from Friday till Tuesday! I was nervous! I had no idea how you or Olivia would handle it. You did pretty good. You mostly fell asleep with little issue. We did have some late nights and you were totally off your schedule and when you get tired you get violent and defiant. But again, it wasn't awful!!

So Saturday night we had a wedding reception to go to. Potter's little sister got married. When we told you we were going to a wedding all you could talk about was the food. Lol. We figured out fast why you like to go! We were watching them cut the cake and all you kept asking Dad was were is the foos? Hahahaha! That night we stayed at the hyers! Livvy screamed most of the night but you slept good!! 

The next day we did lots of birthday party finishing touches. You were so excited for your party! You kept asking if we were going to the "party store". You loved getting things for your party. You also asked everyone we met if they were coming. It's a good thing we invited everyone we knew!!! 

Sunday we went to church with grandma Kay Lynn and grandpa Paul. You had a hard time sitting still and being quiet. In the middle of sacrament you opened up the hymn book and started singing "Follow the Prophet" pretty loudly! Lol. I was worried about dropping you off at a primary you didn't know but you were brave!!! I had a harder time leaving then you! 

Straight from church we headed off to arctic circle to set up! You had fun seeing all the decorations and running around like a crazy person! ;) Then it was time for your party! Boy did we have a turn out! I always expect less people to show up then actually do! In total we had 60 people there (including us). It was crazy! It felt super chaotic but Grandma Kay Lynn complimented us on how organized it was. Your dad took all the kids on a treasure hunt, we played a trivia game, had cake, and opened presents! You really enjoyed opening presents. One of the presents you opened and immediately said "I want this!" We were like "Bently it's yours!" Finally the moment arrived. It was time to give you your bike. A couple weeks ago we tried to set you on a bike in Walmart and you had a melt down. Ran two aisles away and cried because you were so scared! Now you have to understand you had been asking for a bike for your birthday for weeks. We were so excited to give it to you and had already purchased a bike when you had your meltdown. We were only putting you on a bike to make sure we bought the right size. We were very nervous to give you one. I was scared of your reaction. Would you cry? Or cover your eyes and hide? I brought it out and at first you just sat there. Staring. Then your dad whispered in your ear, "Dont be scared! Be excited because mom and dad are going to help you and you have nothing to be afraid of!" With a little encouragement you climbed on and even smiled a little bit! I was so relieved!

Monday we went to the zoo! It was what you wanted to do for your birthday! I was so worried because the weather forecast was pretty much rain all day. But we chose what I hoped would be the golden couple hours and we headed out. Grandma Kay Lynn came with us  and when we arrived it was pretty cold. The first thing we saw was the giraffs. Which are our favorite animal! You saw them and immediately grinned and exclaimed, "giraffes!!! That's my favorite animal!!!!" I thought then and there that this day was worth it even if we froze and it rained on us. Because you were so purely happy in that moment. 

Luckily, it didn't rain on us! We actually got some sun! We had a blast! The animals were active! The lions were roaming, the Bears were chasing each other, and you enjoyed every minute of it! Zoo days are my favorite!!!! There is just something magical about the zoo and spending time together there!!!! :D 

Tuesday I took pictures for the Wurstens. Their daughter Ella is six or so months younger than you. You guys had a blast playing together! You ran around chasing each other and screaming!! You scream all the time. It was fun to watch you play. You had a lot of time with kids and I loved watching you interact! You definitely are at a social age. 

Oh also in Saturday we got to see your new nephew, Bransen. You weren't very interested in the baby but you and Brynnlee had a blast together! :) 

Today was a big day. We were finally home and you had a chance to ride your big kid bike. We did it while Olivia was napping so we could focus on you. You were nervous at first but you gained your courage fast. You even caught onto pedaling rather quickly. Granted you still get stuck a lot and move slow but your getting there. During your bath time tonight you asked if you could ride your bike tomorrow. So Inthink that means you like it. :) oh also I may have got misty eyes watching you ride today. You just seemed way too grown up!!!

I love you handsome man! You keep me smiling and I live for your sweet hugs and kisses! I'm going to enjoy every second I get with you!

Love,

Mom

Dear Bently,

I have so much to catch up on and no time to do it! So sorry in advanced if I skim a little!

First off, Christmas!! Christmas was crazy this year due to the fact that we moved to Vernal on the 5th of December. I felt like everything was rush rush rush because that's how it was. Rush to move, rush to unpack, rush to set up Christmas, just rush. That made it hard but honestly it was a very incredibly happy Christmas. Except for the fact Liv and I were sick! ;) Christmas morning you woke up at your normal time and were pretty content just to sit and play with the tablet. That was going very well till I started asking you what presents you think you got! Ops! Then all you wanted to do was go down stairs and open them! Livvy decided not to wake up till almost nine! That was crazy. When we finally got down stairs, well, you were adorable! You could literally just feel the magic of Christmas pouring out of you! The look on wonderment in your eyes had my heart melting! After inspecting all the presents you proudly exclaimed, "Let's open them!" Haha! You were okay doing stockings first and I think you got a ton of things you wanted! You did ask Santa for Jake and the Neverland Pirate figurines. It's one of your new favorite shows. We bought them for you and then Christmas Eve you informed us you wanted 4 guys not 3. You wanted the 3 main chractars and the bird. Ops. Too late. So when you opened it you asked where the bird was! Haha! We sorta just moved on. ;) You weren't too heart broken and still love your Jake toys! :) The highlight of Christmas is we got you and Livvy a play kitchen. Now we had this in the box in the family covered by blankets for a week. For your credit, you did really good not peaking. But it didn't last and you did get a slight look. So when we brought it down you eagerly exclaimed, "A kitchen!" It was adorable to watch you squeal in delight! You sure do love making us food. You'll tell us if it's a hot food or a cold food. If it's hot I have to blow on it and if it's a cold food I have to make a funny face after swallowing! ;) You also will randomly bring me silverware and insist I cut the food. To be told I love it! I'll play kitchen with you anytime! You never really grow up, you just get taller! :)

New Years Eve we went back to Davis county and spent it at Aunt Shawna's house! That was so much fun! You fell asleep in the car on the way down so you were not tired at all. So guess who stayed up with us till the new year? I don't think you got what was going on but you were eager to tell us "Happy New Year" and dance around! You then stayed up till 2 in the morning because you don't like sleeping in new places. The next day we spent seeing Grandma Kay Lynn and Granpa Paul and Grandma and Grandpa Hodson. We got our presents from them and you are a little too good at presents now and kept asking for more. I guess I need to teach you about gratitude before next year! :) All your Grandparents were exstatic to see you and I must admit, so was I. It made me a little home sick for the first time! We had a blast hanging out with everyone!

Driving back to Shawna's you fell asleep in the car but you made sure to tell us in your half asleep voice, "When I wake up I'm going to play with Kara!" You guys were best buddies this trip and were never apart from each other!

We were also able to see Gradma Curtis and Aunt Courtney, Brittney, Bryson, and Brynnlee, and the Hyers. It was a busy trip full of driving around and visiting everyone we could. We still missed some but it was fun! I told your Dad we can't go back for a couple months because it was exhausting! ;)

So today, 1/5/2014 was your first day in Primary! Now you were not prepared. I kept telling you there was no more nursery but you didn't quite understand. When I found your class and took you in, you suddenly grabbed onto my neck and wouldn't let go. You just sat there with your head buried. I tried to point out your best friend Riley (a girl from nursery, not your cousin) was there but that didn't really help. I didn't know what to do. I did not expect this reaction because you are usually such a brave child. Luckily I convinced you to sit in your seat next to Riley and you seemed okay so I left. I listened in at the door at one point and heard you eagerly exclaiming your desire to help so I guess you got over it fast! When I picked you up from Primary I asked how you liked it and the first thing you said was, "There was no sack or toys!" Haha! Nope there isn't. Then you told me next week your going to nursery. I think everyone wishes they could go to nursery! :)

I can't even describe how old you seem! I mean I have a kid in Primary! It's crazy to think about, but it's also so exciting to watch you grow up!

You do this thing were you sometimes will avoid crying. I can tell you want to cry  but you stop yourself. I always tell you it's okay to cry but you admittedly exclaim "no!" It's cute and sad! I hate watching you try and hold off the tears! You don't have to be big yet! Your only 3! You can always cry to me!

My new favorite thing you do is you will answer questions so adorably. I will say "Bently do you love me?" and you say after a long pause, "Uhhhh sure." Or "I guess so". You say these answers with the most interesting face. You talk out of the side of your mouth. It's crazy adorable. It makes me laugh super hard. Especially when I ask that question because in my opinion that should be a resounding yes! ;)

You talking out the side of your mouth!

There was something else I wanted to say but I can't remember it for the life of me! I love you my big primary kid! :)

Love,
Mom

Dear Bently,

We moved! We are living in Vernal now, thus the hiatus in my letters! And the very best thing about moving, I'm a stay at home mom! I'm so super excited and have been loving being home with you cuties! On to the letter. 

So I fee weird starting this way but you have become much more independent in the bathroom! You can now basically do pee all by yourself! It's been super fantastic actually. You really don't like doing things yourself and avoid it if we'll do it for you. So it was a pretty big surprise where one day I caught you going potty by yourself! It made me wonder how long you've been doing it for. :) 

You've done pretty good with the move. You'll sometimes ask to go to grandmas or grandpas house and you ask about preschool but the translation has been smooth overall. I keep asking if you like the old house or new house better and you keep saying the old house. I guess we'll see if that opinion ever changes! 

So I try really hard to not let you see me cry, but sometime it happens. It's happened twice recently. Probably because I'm overly emotional with the stress of moving. Anyways the first time I was crying because I lost my wallet with a lot of cash in it. You were so sweet. You kept telling Livvy not to talk because mommy lost her wallet. You kept telling me not to be sad. The second time I was hiding in my closet so you wouldn't see me crying. Apparently you noticed and told dad mom sad. I go hug her. You immediately came up stairs calling my name and told me not to be sad giving me lots of hugs and kisses. I can't even tell how grateful I was to have you to cheer me up. You made my mommy heart just melt into a puddle! 

Last night dad was working so it was just me putting you to bed. It you asked me to lay next to you. I decided to enjoy the moment and I did. We giggled and talked and cuddled and you gave me tons of hugs and kisses!!! I love that you give me tons of hugs and kisses. I cherish moments like that one! It was so incredibly perfect I found myself tearing up just holding you and cuddling you and thinking of how fast you're growing up! 

We decorated the Christmas tree! You loved it of course! You did pretty good at putting the ornaments on actually. And enjoyed telling us all about them! The only problem is you still love the ornaments and often take them off though you have been told not to. I think it's mostly because of olivia. She is a bad influence on you. I don't think you quite understand that she is held to different rules than you. Last night you guys knocked the Christmas tree over! I can't say if it was you or liv but I believe it was a team effort. You mostly just thought it was hilarious! 

So I don't know if I've mentioned this before but you refuse to let anyone else have your favorite things as theres. For example your favorite color is green and so is dads. Whenever dad says his favorite color is green and adamantly exclaim "No! Your favorite color is blue!" You both have many arguements about this fact. Well it turns out giraffes are your favorite animal and they are mine too. So whenever I tell you giraffes are my favorite animal you always say, "No mom, your favorite animal is hippos!" It is hilarious to try and argue the point. But I don't mind too much because you are so adorable and I love you having favorites. When we went to the zoo you exclaimed, "Oh giraffes that my favorite animal!" You exclaim this every time you see green or giraffes or animal mechanicals, ect. It's pretty dang adorable. I love how excited you get over things now. 

Speaking of things you love all the Christmas lights. My favorite part is you have started adding L's into random words. So Christmas lights is chilstmas lights. Or today you said "plenguins" I don't know why you do it but it's adorable. :)

Alright this letter has become much longer than I expected. I love you my adorable little guy! I can't wait to celebrate Christmas with you!

Love,

Mom

Dear Bently,

I may have down played your sleeping issues. You just hate going to sleep! In face you tell us all the time, "I don't like bedtime!" I really think you are just scared! The neighbors make quite a bit of noise and you are always yelling "What's that noise!" When I tell you, "Oh it's just the neighbors." You say "I don't like the neighbors!" Haha! It's been frustrating and tiring! Then last night your Aunt Janaye was over and suggested I play you some music. To be honest, I thought there was no way that would help. You are very particular about how things are suppose to be done. But I went in and told you I was going to play you some sleep music. I turned on some relaxation station on Pandora and left. You were out like a light in 5 minutes tops! I'm hoping this could solve some of our problems! :) I'll let you know!

So we're moving in less than two weeks! I haven't mentioned it because I was waiting for Daddy to get the all clear on his shoulder injury and he did today! I'm excited for this new adventure and I am extra excited to be able to be a stay at home Mommy for the first time ever! Well excited and a little scared! But I know it'll be great! My biggest worry with moving is you actually. I don't know how you're going to handle it! I try and talk it up all the time but you mostly tell me you don't want a new house and your too little! I know the change is going to be hard and I just hope you adjust quickly. I hope you realize as your Mom I worry about you all the time! I don't think that'll ever change! So forgive me if you find me too controlling, I'm probably just trying to protect you!

Love,
Mom

Dear Bently,

Yesterday 11/12/2014 was a pretty big day in your book! You had your very first dentist appointment! The day before and the day after we tried to talk it up as much as possible! I don't think you were very convinced because you kept telling us, "No dentist! That later!" "I'm too busy to go to the dentist!" Hahaha! But when it came down to it you went to the dentist willingly! I'm not going to lie I was a little nervous about how you would react! You used to be such an easy going child but now, being afraid of everything has made your reactions harder to predict. But you climbed up without hardly any hesitation into that big chair. I could tell you were nervous but you didn't struggle. They laid you back and your Dad and I could both tell you were nervous so we cheered, a lot! Haha! The dentist even remarked that you have a great cheering section! What can we say, we're supportive! :) They were able to brush your teeth and count them (you have 20) and the doctor said everything looks great! :) The best part is you got a toy at the end! You had a hard time understanding you just got one! You kept trying to pick multiple toys! :) I can't believe you are old enough to go to the dentist! And I am one proud momma of my brave little man! :) I love you Bently!

Love,
Mom

Dear Bently,

As a parent I am experiencing many things for the first time. Lately the thing that has me most intrigued is how your relationship with your children changes. You always love them! I love you now matter what! But as you've gotten older, and able to express yourself more, I feel closer to you in a different way than I do Livvy! You can tell me what your thinking and feeling. You tell me you love me all the time! It's actually my favorite thing you do! You randomly just say "I love you Mom!" You also love giving me hugs and kisses! To be honest it can be a little tiresome. You always choose to give me hugs and kisses at the most inconvenient times! When I'm really busy or trying to do something you go, "I need a hug and a kiss!" It's adorable and I've made it my new goal to appreciate these times! I know it won't always be cool to hug and kiss your mom! Sorry I got a rant! The point is our relationship now, I feel so close to you! I honestly feel like we have such a special relationship and I treasure it with all of my soul! :) I hope you always feel as close to me as I do you! :)

 

On a side note, the other night you were having an extremely hard time going to sleep. I think it has something to do with all the fears you currently have! After fighting you to go to bed for quite some time I just laid down next to you and to my surprise you fell asleep rather quickly. The best part was you took your little arm and wrapped it around my neck. Every time I tried to leave you just grasped me tighter. I loved every second of it and ended up falling asleep next to you!

 

I love you handsome boy! Thank you for being my very best friend!

 

Love,
Mom

 

p.s. Here are some selfies we took together this morning! You crack me up kid!