Life in Lewisville: The best 12 months

I beam with pride on the inside just thinking about everything Cameron has brought to our lives this past year. My heart swells with joy when I watch the little boy he is becoming right before my eyes each day. It seems an impossible task to put into words how our lives have changed and it is utterly inconceivable to imagine what life would be like without our charming, silly, determined little man. I am truly so thankful to the Lord for what he has given us in the undeserved gift of Cameron.

This year, I've learned more about myself, grown closer to Dave, and fallen in love with this little 18.9 pound happy boy. My understanding of our Heavenly Father has deepened as the parallels between having a child and being a child of God have come alive. I know more now about unconditional love and sacrifice, immeasurable joy, and strength found through weaknesses. As I'm sure so many other women feel, I'm convinced that a huge part of my purpose in life has been fulfilled in becoming a mom. I know it is not my ultimate purpose, but it's been the BEST job I could have ever been given, even on those days when I doubted myself, made mistakes, was easily frustrated, overwhelmed, and discouraged. I'm just thankful! Overflowing with it, if you can't tell!

12-month-old Cameron has blossomed quite a bit this past month. Though he hasn't quite taken his first steps alone, he no longer fits in the category of "Mr. Mobile Wannabe" like he did last month. He has taken to crawling (finally!--so cute!) in addition to cruising along furniture, walls, or whatever/whoever he can get his hands on for balance. He's pulling up regularly, stooping down to pick up toys, and just this morning I caught him standing on his Anywhere Chair AND climbing on the bottom step of our stairs! Ready or not, our little boy is bound to take off any time now, and when he does I'm looking forward to taking him to nearby parks and Marbles Kids Museum to let him roam around and explore on his own.

In addition to his gross motor development, he's also been working hard growing three new teeth! This poor child never gets one at a time, but I tell myself that maybe it's good to get a few out of the way at a time, right?? He now has a molar on top (remember when I thought that was coming through TWO months ago?!), a canine working it's way in next to that, and a molar coming on the bottom. (That one caused quite a dramatic scene on vacation when we were all fixed up for family pictures and his gums let loose an unexpected pool of blood onto his nice white button-down!) With 11 chompers filling his mouth, he's capable of eating a good assortment of whatever we offer him so that makes meal time a bit easier. (If only I didn't have to worry so much about what junk is in our food, it'd really be a breeze!)

Aside from all that, this past month has been busy with birthday celebrations and Cameron's first trip to the beach! As pretty as the pictures below are, they're incapable of fully capturing the all great moments that made this time with family such fun. Looking back at them, I'm reminded of what a tremendous blessing my family is. These are the people who know me best and love me most, despite my flaws and quirks and sins and silliness and absurd anger-outburts when playing Taboo and everything in between!