01/30/2014 It is 11 days before V turns one. I now understand the famous line parents always tell their 40 year old children, "It was like yesterday we brought you home from the hospital." Haha. It's hard to take in how fast this first year has come and gone. I'm not much for wearing feelings on my sleeve, especially when blogging, but I guess I will make an exception for this Shumway milestone. 
I am so grateful to have V a part of our lives. Life will forever be different. He has changed us. I think of the person I was before, and the person I am now, I can say I never would have made the changes on my own. No wonder motherhood is such a special, and endured experience. It is amazing to me how a child can take your heart, and take so much more from you in a single day. You know the days where you don't know the last time you showered. There you find yourself thinking you don't have anymore to give, then it happens. You get that sweet little smile, or that unexpected hug, slobbery kiss, or heart melting giggle. All of a sudden you find yourself overflowing with the receiving end of love, realizing your child is giving back to you so much more. I'm happy to know that all of the emotional ups and downs, diapers, spit up, crying, feedings, first steps, and first word is all shared with my sweetheart. I am so grateful that my sweetheart does beyond what he "has to." I know these are days to be cherished and gone before we know it. The love between father and son is special too. I see it in my boys. I am grateful for my boys making us a family. For truly because of them, I am Vrouw, and I am mom.  
-The grateful Vrouw