Hey babes!

It's your mom. I just had my second Mother's Day with all of you in my life. It was hectic as always but so "us". We played outside for a couple of hours under the shade of a tree. We played in a bucket of water and we laughed. Oh did we laugh. You are funny kids. Jake poured water over himself and died laughing while Avery crawled in the tiny water bucket. (It was your baby bathtub!) Brooklynn was happy with a spoon and a cup. This is you three to a tee. I didn't get any pictures because I was too busy enjoying you three in the moment. I remember when I found out I was expecting each one of you. That rush of excitement and brush of nervousness, it was so good. You have not let me down. The excitement and nervousness continues. (And I suspect it always will!) Babes, you have made me a better person.

My little boy Jake, I continue to learn from. You are so kind and sweet. I know I grit my teeth when you wave to the 100th person you see in Target but you are just saying "HIIIIIIIII!!! Buh BYYYYYE!: because you just learned how to do this. You love without any conditions. You don't notice when people look at you differently. You don't let people ignore you. You hug like it is your first and last hug of your life--it's that good. You even hug our neighbors like you are best friends. :/ Your kisses are terrible with an open mouth, but I will always take them becasue they are meant with the utmost love. You're so giving. Jakey, you are learning. You pick up on the most amazing things. Each day is an incredible one. You have made me believe the impossible is possible. It might not be today, but it will be someday. I love you, babe.

Avery, you love to crawl up stairs because you feel a sense of accomplishment and I won't ever squash that. You are so proud of yourself. Mama is so proud of you to, babe. You are walking. Walking!! I tell people "We have never experienced this before!" It's true-you are our first. Not that this takes away from Jake and his accomplishments because my boy is incredible and has done the most amazing things-or from our baby Brooklynn. Avery, you are so amazing to watch. You stand up from sitting down without holding on every.single.time. How does a person know how to do this? You do, little. You do. You are happy and you love your mama and daddy and Ms. Kristi and Dave. It makes my heart so happy. You love your blanket and I will never hide how much I adore that you are just like your mama. I cannot live without you. You are my heart.

Brooks, you have made my heart sing. You used to be my quiet baby who was down with anything but now you are learning you have a voice. You are so amazing. You will always be my bonus baby. You have a stronger personality than I thought. I am still figuring you out. You love to cuddle. Brooks, you steal hearts. I love your stink face and the way that you can sit with a toy to figure it out-or make your own way to play with it. I think you will be brother's biggest fan. You let him hug on you and kiss you and you are never annoyed with him. You know he means love. You watch everything and you learn from what you see. Therapy has been great but watching your sister has been the best thing. You are your own person but I love how you watch her. I am so thankful that you have a sister. You are the best thing that ever happened to me.

I'm so proud of you three. I never knew what this life would be like-it has it's challenges for sure-but you three have made it be the most rewarding life. I could never imagine life this good. Each one of you has brought something to me that I didn't know I was missing. You have all given me a reason to be the person that I am. I love you and I am so blessed to be your mommy.

xoxox