Why I Sell LuLaRoe

(Wow, this blog has seriously been neglected. I've clearly been busy with my family and this amazing job!)

Many of you here know WHAT I do. I am a LuLaRoe Retailer who loves to sell amazing clothing. However, not all of you know WHY I do this.
When I first started in this business I jumped on board to make some extra money and to do something outside of motherhood. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE motherhood, and it is the title I am most proud of. However, there were days I found myself wanting something more that excited me and brought out a passion that laundry, groceries, and dirty diapers just wasn't doing.
I jumped full force into this business. If you know anything about me at all, you know that when I start something new I dive in head first and completely immerse my thoughts and actions with it! Little did I know that this wouldn't slow down :-)
When I got started I was excited to share with my kids that beauty doesn't come from your shape, size, or age. I found that LuLaRoe allowed me to fall in love with my body again (despite the wear and tear of age and motherhood), and to be proud of it. I wanted this for my customers, but more importantly, I wanted my daughters to know that their worth was not on their appearance.

So, I sold LuLaRoe to make sure EVERY woman who put our styles on their body would know that they are worthy of feeling beautiful.

That God created her perfectly imperfect.

And then I began to take this concept of "Perfectly Imperfect," and really internalize it.

I kept using this idea when it came to my outward appearance, but God was doing something bigger. Something He not only wanted me to accept in myself, but to share with others.

I found myself on Periscope sharing my life. I shared my love for LuLaRoe, but there were moments I wasn't all "put together." The thing with live stream is that it is raw and unedited. You hit that "Go Live" button and that is exactly what happens. You are sharing yourself with the world, and risking the chance that you might say the wrong thing, have a child throw a tantrum, equipment could malfunction, or your hair and make up might not be just right.

The thing is, the more I did this, the more I loved sharing my "perfect imperfections." The more I felt that I was building relationships with others who said "I can relate." A community formed of those of us who already loved LuLaRoe, but we began to love ourselves more because we realized were weren't the only ones who had messy closets and unmade beds.

I never knew if I could be good at this business thing. I felt that those who were successful business owners had to be organized, tidy, and consistent at balancing their check books. All things I was not. But somehow I found that I was meeting women like me and we encouraged each other. I began to learn that the success of my business was more about the relationships and community I built with my customers and team, than making sure my files were updated and papers organized.

Let's back up a bit...

I grew up in an amazing home. While we weren't perfect by any measure, I had parents I was close with and siblings that I thought were pretty cool. My mom and my 2 sisters were very organized people. They picked up their rooms, hung clothes after they wore them, and in general they were organized and tidy. For some reason these tasks were just tough for me. These were the women I compared myself to. Don't get me wrong, my mom and sisters are my most favorite people ever, but somehow I felt like I was somehow missing what came so easy to every other woman I watched.

I started to base my worth on what I wasn't doing. I wasn't getting my laundry completed. My cupboards weren't organized. With each child I had I felt that I just began to shove more and more things into spaces they would fit. While I hate being late to things, I still couldn't get my schedule figured out.
There were many times I'd talk to my mom about this, and she had always told me she was certain I had ADD (She was a teacher for children with learning disabilities, so she knew what was up). She heard my frustrations, and she turned things around with different messages (Jill and Cricket, if you are reading this, this isn't a knock on either of you ;-) )
"Bets, school didn't come as easy for your sisters as it did for you. They had to work hard, and you sailed on through."
"Betsy, you are SO creative. You love crafts, and you don't mind the messes!"
"Betsy, you have a way with social media that pulls people together."
"Betsy, your transparency and honesty is what draws people to you."
While I had spent so much time telling myself I was lazy because I couldn't keep my house tidy, I had forgotten to look at the gifts God had given me that were important to make me who I am. Sure, I will never be the person who has a perfectly organized cupboard, but I will be that person who let's your kids sit down and make a mess at my counter while they paint pictures.
For a long time I didn't like people coming into my home, because I assumed that they would judge my lack of perfection. Stupid, huh? Then I started LuLaRoe. God has a way of breaking us of things. I had people stopping over constantly to pick up items. I had the option to drive myself crazy trying to schedule them all around when I could get my house picked up, or I could embrace my life and the reality of being a work at home mom.
December of 2015 I was officially diagnosed with ADHD. In the same month I had one of my largest LuLaRoe Open Houses I had ever had. In many ways the very thing I felt that held me back from being the "perfect" wife, mother, and retailer is something I know has made me the perfectly imperfect wife, mother, and retailer for those in my life. It's my ADHD that allows me to follow the comments on Periscope. It is my ADHD that is constantly making me think outside the box of what I could do next to excite my customers. It's my ADHD that has truly been an avenue to which people can relate with me.
And all that organization that business owners DO really need (I mean, we do). God filled a need when I didn't ask for one. Many of you have heard of and know Amy. It's funny when she and I talk about how God brought us together, but it truly was something He put into place that we both needed. And God bless my husband, Paul. He has stood behind me from day one. I am sure there were times he questioned this whole thing, but I could not have done any of this without his encouragement, and more importantly, his blessing.

Being a LuLaRoe Retailer is not just about selling leggings and beautiful dresses. For me, it has been an avenue for my creativity, an opportunity for me to relate with others, and exactly what I needed to feel that those things I deemed as negative qualities are the very thing that has helped me find success. A huge reason I do this job is so to help others feel confident that they can do this to. I do this to encourage others to embrace who they are. You don't have to be gifted at all the things. Know your gifts, and find others with different gifts to help you be successful.
Within LuLaRoe we are encouraged to learn our "why," and to be able to say it in one sentence, so here is mine:

"I do LuLaRoe because I want others to know the freedom that comes with loving yourself, using your talents to build your business, and that we can find success within our mess (I need to give a shout out to Becca Sparks for this phrase ;-) ). A huge thank you to my customers, my team, my up line, Amy, Paul, and my family for sticking through this journey with me. It's only been 2 years, and I cannot wait to see where else this takes us!
Where you can find me if you want a larger dose of the chaos I am putting out there:
FB Business Page
FB Shopping Group
Periscope

New Baby Products I Can't Live Without

I am amazed at what new and exciting things there are for babies! Between Belle and Will so many awesome products have come out. For those of you new mamas or those seasoned mamas curious about which product are worth a purchase, these are my thoughts:

1. The Soothe Shirt by Lalabu. This shirt has been amazing! I throw it in my diaper bag and when Will fusses I throw it on over my cami and put him in. It's easier than dealing with a wrap and clips and figuring out how to get him in and out. It's quick, simple, and he loves it. https://shop.lalabu.com/

2. Any of the mamaRoo infant seats. There are different models, but we got the rockaRoo and it i more than sufficient. It has taken the place of our bouncy seat AND swing. I used to spend hours sitting on the couch bouncing my babies with my foot in their bouncy seats. No more! I put Will in, turn it on, and I can walk away and get things done. http://shop.4moms.com/shop-rockaroo

3. My Brest Friend nursing pillow. I have always been Boppy user for nursing, but after discovering this pillow I am convinced! It has been around awhile, but I have just recently decided to take the plunge. It straps around your body, which gives you more support, and since it is stiffer than the Boppy the baby easily rests on top without falling to one side or the other. I can also walk around the house with him on this pillow while nursing. A MUST for this mama of four---you know, to save Sam from hurling himself off the countertops. https://www.mybrestfriend.com/

4. DockATot. It looks pretty simple, and there isn't much to it, but it is pretty awesome. I have had to wean my kids from sleeping in the Rock n Play. They were used to sleeping at an angle and snuggled in, so moving to a crib was tough. My kids have also loved to fall asleep on my chest, but it always makes me nervous to fall asleep like this since they could easily fall to one side or the other. This is a nice alternative. The babe can rest right inside, still feel snug since it isn't as spacious as a crib. I feel comfortable with those occasional co-sleeping nights when Will just needs to feel closer to Mom and I desperately need him to sleep. I also use this as a changing station. My main level is all hard floors and I keep it under my coffee table for when I need to quick change him. https://dockatot.com/collections/all

5. Baby Brezza Formula Pro. While I haven't use this quite yet, how can it not be amazing???? I will report back once we are using it more! http://www.babybrezza.com/product/formula-pro/

I received no compensation for any of these reviews. This is from one mama to another who wants to share some life saving products during those early survival weeks when you have a baby. I have been around the block a few times when it comes to baby products, and I am bummed that I never used ANY of these until my last babe. If I was on top of my life I would have posted my own pictures using these products, but stock photos are just easier with 4 kiddos running around!

Hope this helps any of you who are looking to register soon or wondering whether any of these products are worth the purchase. From a seasoned mother of newborns I encourage you to go for it if you are debating any of them! You won't be sorry, and you might sleep a bit better ;-)

What You May Not Know When You Ask Her "Are There Two In There?"

I actually hadn't planned on writing this post, but I realize that this is something most people do not think about, as it isn't talked about much, or all that common. So, I thought I'd share my story.

First, some of us may think it's obvious why you shouldn't ask a pregnant woman if she is having twins, as it implies she is looking rather large.  While this offends some, this doesn't bother me as I know pregnancy brings about a big belly, and I can get over that.  But, the real reason I think we all really need to think about asking a woman this question is much deeper.

You see, when you ask a pregnant woman "are you sure you don't have two in there," what you may not know is that at 7 weeks she went in for an ultrasound due to some stomach pain.

What you most likely don't know is that during that ultrasound the tech looked at her and said, "Now this is interesting.  I see one baby....and I see two babies."  And in that instance that mother TOO saw two babies.  Two babies.  Two flickering heart beats.  Two souls growing inside of her.

What you don't know is that in that moment her heart raced out of pure and utter fear, but perfect excitement. In that moment her heart instantly grew and she was a mother who was now in love with not just her baby #4, but her unexpected baby #5.  

What you don't know is how uneasy she became when the doctor came in and said "I am concerned about the viability of Baby A.  The heart rate is low and growth is a week behind."  How she heard him mention a few statistics, but all she could think of was how she so badly wanted that little runt, Baby A.

What you didn't know was that for the next two weeks she and her husband prayed incessantly for God to care for both of the lives inside of her.  That although they were scared to death, they knew there were two beating hearts inside of her that belonged to them.  Their babies.  Their children.

And what you might not know is that for those same two weeks she feverishly Googled "Vanishing Twin Syndrome" to help ease her fears that Baby A would just become another statistic.  That she would find herself getting excited over the thought of bringing two babies into this world, but squashed her excitement with fear and sadness if she was to find out that Baby A didn't make it.

What you don't know is that at 9 weeks her ultrasound was one of her most bittersweet moments.  She instantly knew when she looked at the screen that her biggest fear was true.  Baby A's heartbeat was no longer flickering, no longer present, and no longer alive.  In that moment she battled between rejoicing for a healthy, active Baby B, and feeling crushed as she looked at Baby A's smaller, almost vacant sac.

What you don't know is that she sobbed with her husband, and felt guilt for having such grief while she had so much to be thankful for.  She was carrying a thriving Baby B.  Baby #4.  

What you don't know is that a miscarriage is a miscarriage and that no matter if you have another baby, you so deeply mourn the loss of the baby you no longer have, even if you only knew about that baby for 2 weeks.  You equally grieve for the loss as you rejoice for the life.  

What you don't know is that she met with the nurse after this ultrasound who hadn't realized the results and exclaimed "Congratulations!  How exciting!  Did you know you were having twins?!" So while your heart freshly wounded you had to explain that in fact, you did know, but that you no longer carried two babies.

What you wouldn't know is that she cried the entire way home while she listened to "Good Good Father," and because she knows her Father, she belted out:  

You're a good good Father

It's who You are, it's who You are, it's who You are

And I'm loved by You

It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am

What you don't know is that when she hears of someone having twins it stings just a bit.  When she sees two babies in the grocery story her heart aches for just a second when she thinks of the "what if."

What you don't know is that she rejoices with this new life inside of her, but knows this pregnancy will always carry with it some loss.  The birth will be joyous, but there will be a side of her that grieves what "could have been."  There will always be an ache in her soul when she remembers that flickering heartbeat at 7 weeks.  

You see, when you ask "Are there two in there?" she really REALLY wants to tell you "yes."  She so wishes the answer was different than the actual response.   When you ask her if she is having twins it stings, because she can't tell you that yes, indeed, she is carrying the two babies she had prayed for not that long ago.

What you can be sure of is that we are happy, and Baby B is growing and thriving.  What you can be sure of is that we rejoice for the gift God has given us, and we look forward to someday meeting our Baby A.

(If you ever asked or joked with me about twins, it's okay :-)  This isn't meant to guilt, and I know that it is all in innocence, but I also know that sometimes we don't realize someones journey or story.  I know my story isn't common, but I urge you to think twice before you ask a woman if she is carrying twins.  I know 100% that no one has ever meant harm in this common joke)

Happy 6th Birthday, Isabelle Mae!!

I say it every year, but how did we get here?  6 years ago I was sitting at your dad's softball game in labor with no clue that I would soon be meeting you!  6 years ago is when you came into this world and made me a mother--the most amazing and crazy job I have ever had!

Belle, on your 6th birthday I want you to know all of the things I have learned about you over this year.  Not much has changed since last year, but you still continue to teach me new things and amaze me with the person you are becoming.

1. At the end of DK your teacher described you as a kid who "knew how to be a kid."  I have been so proud of this statement.  To me, this showed that you knew didn't take life more seriously than you needed to, and you took full advantage of this amazing stage of your life
2. Purple is still your favorite color.  
3. You, my girl, keep proving to me how much of an athlete you will be.  You thrive on the soccer field, you have perfected the RipStik, and you can run fast!  I cannot wait to watch you flourish in this area.
4. You have lost two teeth!  AND, you are currently working on a third! As a kid I LOVED writing letters to my tooth fairy, Harry, and it has been so fun to watch your excitement with the tooth fairy and losing your first teeth.
   
5. You and Evie are best friends and worst enemies.  You gang up on me together (something I don't anticipate ending soon), you fight passionately, and you love on each other like crazy.  Watching the dynamic of your sisterhood is so intriguing.
   
   
   
   
6. You still continue to be my drama girl.  You are getting better, but you can still go from 0 to 60 in no time flat.  
7. You are the epitome of an older sister.  You are VERY concerned with Evie's safety and I Have to often remind you to worry about yourself, and I'll worry about Evie.  I love your concern for your sister, but if I were Evie I made have clocked you once or twice by now.
8. You are no longer "not listening."  When I am talking to other adults you have your ears up and you often ask me later what we were talking about.  You are inquisitive, and you on't skip a beat.
9. This year you gave yourself your first haircut.  First, I screamed, cried, and yelled...but in the end I realized it was just hair, and hair grows back.  You're still beautiful, and short little bangs say nothing about the girl you are :-)
10. Speaking of hair, you can do your own now!  You brush it yourself, and you often put in your own ponytails and pigtails.  You are needing me less and less when it comes to getting ready.
11. You just started all day, everyday Kindergarten. It is such an odd transition for me.  I have been so used to having you home most of the time, and now you spend most of your time with someone else.  I know you are ready, but not so sure I have been completely ready.
    
12. You are still such an amazing helper to me! You love to do the dishes, keep an eye on Sam, and dust the furniture.  The one chore you struggle with continues to be putting your laundry away.  I feel you, girl.  We are SO alike!
    
13. You have QUITE the fashion style!  Since I started LuLaRoe you love to mix prints, and put anything together.  I let you dress yourself, so it isn't rare for you to head to school in stripes, solids, and animal print all in one outfit! I adore your confidence :-)
14. I am amazed at how one year has matured you.  You used to barely be able to make it through a church service, and not long ago you sat in the pew by yourself while I had Alive, and you never once misbehaved.  You are no longer that impulsive little girl you used to be.
15. You are still my craft girl.  You LOVE to color, paint, and put things together.  You would rather make crafts than pay dolls or Barbies.
16. Aside from crafts, you could play Minecraft all day.  I think you enjoy the freedom of building whatever you want, and you are really good at it.  If I'm not careful you would easily play Minecraft for hours on end!
17. This summer you turned into a fish!  You conquered your fear of swimming underwater, started jumping off the diving board, and really fell in love with the water.  
18. I love to just talk with you.  You have questions, thoughts, and stories that intrigue me.  I love being able to see the world through your eyes.
    
19. You are trying so hard to read.  You love to sit down with books and sound things out.  Sometimes you give up quickly, but other times you keep trying hard.  On one hand it's exciting to watch you learn, and on the other I lament not being able to spell things around you so you won't know what I'm talking about.
20. You still love music.  You became obsessed with Katy Perry's "Roar."  You know every word and your even have you own little dance to it.
21. Speaking of dancing, you took your first ballet class this summer.  You loved it, and every part of me was in love with you in a leotard and ballet skirt!  
    
22. The older you get, the sassier you get!  It is not rare for you to get mad and stomp around and slam doors.  I have a feeling your teenage years are going to be interesting...
23. You are becoming more and more independent.  Picking out your clothes, making food for yourself, cleaning up your room, and doing your own hair.  You like to do things for yourself, and you don't often need my help for many things (although we are still working on you tying your shoes).
24. I have found that new things, or a change in the norm can stress you out a bit.  If we head to the zoo or plan to go to Catch Air you are excited, but I can tell you have a heightened sense of anxiety.  You worry more about what Evie is doing, ask a lot of questions about what will happen, and begin to feel rushed.  Sometimes new situations seem to put your emotions in overdrive, so anything you feel, you feel 10 times more.  
    
25. You have lots of friends!  It has been fun to watch you build friendships with your classmates in DK, and I look forward to seeing your relationships grow!  We have entered the world of play dates, pool parties, and birthday parties.
26. While you are getting better at picking things up, your ability to leave things laying around is still going strong.  You like to move quickly to the next activity, and don't want to take time to pick up your last project.  You are much like your mother this way.  
27. You thrive on being around people, and you hate to miss something or feel "left out."  You have inherited your FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) from your father for sure!  You hate the thought of things going on without you being there.  
28. This past year you found your first boyfriend.  You were certain that you were going to marry  Bryce, and your teacher confirmed that you guys played together at school a lot!  I can't even tell you how many pictures you drew of you and Bryce.  Unfortunately, your first "love" moved to a different school this year, but you still talk about him!  No worries, girl, most people don't marry their first loves ;-)
29. You are THE best at helping me with Sam.  He can be a cranky pants, but you know just how to make him laugh and how to distract him when I need to get something done.  You might only be 6, but I rely on you a lot. 
    
    
    
30. You have asked Jesus to be in your heart, and I love seeing your faith develop.  You are learning Bible stories, and asking me questions about Jesus.  You still aren't so sure about praying aloud, but that's okay.  Keep talking to God.  Keep exploring your faith!

Happy 6th Birthday, Belle!  How fast it has gone!  Keep smiling, keeping learning about God, and keep loving life!

We love you SO much!

Happy 1st Birthday, Samuel John!

Dear Sam,

I am not quite sure how this happened, but you are already a year old!  Sometimes it seems like you have been around here forever, and yet sometimes it feels like you were just born!  You have been such a joy to watch grow this past year.

1. You were born with a phenomenal head of hair, and it has only continued to be amazing. You went through one phase, however, where it stayed long on top and you went bald on the side.  Unfortunately, we had a lot of good laughs off of your crazy look.  Now, you hair is full and you need hair cuts constantly!  I need to get used to this with having a boy!
   
2. You are my thumb sucker, and I adore it.  You never took a pacifier, but it's been nice that I never have to remember to bring one anywhere and you always have your soother with you wherever you go.  It's also the cutest thing I've ever seen.
   
3. You, buddy, are a big boy!  I cannot tell you how often someone mentions, "Wow, he's a big boy!"  Random strangers even!  I have always loved a fat baby, and your thighs are fantastic.
   
4. The first few months of your life were some of the hardest for me with any of my kids.  You struggled to sleep, you wouldn't stay asleep, and you were often cranky when you were awake.  We tried loads of things, but I finally begged the doctor for Zantac and it made a HUGE difference.  It took 5 months, but once you had your meds you were a new kid.
5. You being a new kid only lasted a few months.  September you got your first ear infection, and little did we know that it was one of many many to come!  Between September and January you ended up with 9 ear infections and had been on more antibiotics than I have in my 31 years of life.  It was awful knowing you were in pain, but not being able to do much to help.  You finally had tubes put in this past month and it's been life-changing.  I can only imagine what it has been like to have all of that fluid out of your ears!
   
6. Your dimples are to die for.  Your smile charms and you know how to work it.
   
7. I'd like to apologize to you for the beating you take from Evie.  I am certain she means it out of love, but at 3 she still doesn't quite understand that dragging you around and wrestling you are still things that a baby should not be doing.  I am pretty sure there is a side of her that enjoys antagonizing someone who can't fight back, which is why I think she smacked you with the fly swatter yesterday while you were eating lunch.  Do me a favor, someday, and fight for your sister if she needs you, but don't let her bully you around :-)
8. You are SO close to walking.  You have started to take a couple of steps here and there, so I know you aren't too far from taking off.  I'm not sure I'm ready for this stage!
9. For some reason you DESPISE your car seat.  You are a terrible traveller.  Doesn't matter if you are equipped with snacks, toys, and entertainment.  You cry before I put you in, and you whine most of the time you are in the car.  
10. You love to rummage through the cupboards.  You have figured out that if you pull hard enough you can override the child safety latches.  You pull out the mixing bowls, and even crawl all the way in.  The problem is that you get stuck and keep hitting your head. 
    
11. You were my first baby that actually enjoyed the Ergo carrier.  I am not sure if this is because you HAD to like it, or if you really did because you are not a snuggler at all.  Early on I would put you in the Ergo and you would fall asleep while I brought the girls to Catch Air or the zoo.  It was survival, and I was thankful you made going out with 3 kids a bit easier.
    
12. You love to dance.  Love it.  Whether it is watching your sisters cut a rug or yourself moving and grooving, music most definitely makes you happy.
13. You have already mastered the art of picking the marshmallows out of the Lucky Charms.  I am certain I will have a tough time hiding any veggies in your meals someday :-)  Overall, you are a pretty good eater and I haven't really found anything your DON'T like (which might be obvious from the size of your belly).
14. You are brown-eyed and brown-haired boy in the midst of a couple of blue eyed, blonde haired girls.  I love the variety that you have brought to our crazy little team.
15. I go back and for with who you look like.  There are days you are so your father, but then days you look just like Belle, who is the spitting image of me.  
16. You are my early riser.  Belle and Evie always slept in until at least 7am.  You, for some insane reason, feel the need to be up between 5 and 6am.  Can we work on this?
17. You aren't saying any words yet, but I wonder if it is because your ears were so full of fluid for so long.  
18. You have taught me how to learn to go with the flow, and that I am not in control.  Being the 3rd kid, you didn't have the luxury of always taking your naps at certain times and for a certain length of time.  I have had to wake you up from numerous naps, and have had to stretch you to make it to certain times.  You've actually handled this well, and have helped your mama learn to let some things go.
19. Can we talk about the dog food?  Evie and Belle were curious about this as well, but I think you take this to an entirely new level.  Maybe it's a boy thing, putting gross non-food things in your mouth.  Either way, you ALWAYS find your way to Mac's bowl and flip over his water and hoard his food in your cheek like a squirrel.  It's gross, dude.  Stop.
20. Being your mom has helped build confidence in myself and following my gut.  I would get nervous to constantly bring you in for appointments when I knew you just weren't quite yourself, but eventually I gained confidence that I know what's best for you and that it didn't matter if the nurses and doctors thought I was overreacting.  I learned to worry more about making sure you were healthy, rather than if I brought you in and nothing was wrong.  Yup, even at my age you worry what people think of you.  Thank you for helping me work on this.
21. I am so thankful that you are a Mama's Boy.  You love your dad and get ecstatic to see him when he comes home from work (actually you start smiling as soon as you hear the door open), but right now I am the one you prefer.  I know that it won't be long until Dad will be your best friend and you will be off playing soccer and building Legos, but for now, let me cherish that I have a little leg up :-)
    
22. I adore watching you with Belle.  She has turned into quite the caregiver and helped since you have arrived.  She has become a vital asset to me, and she loves giving you bottles in the car, playing peak-a-boo with you, and helping teach you to walk.  
    
23. You have a birth mark on the side of your face that reminds me everyday how unique and special you are.  It's your trademark.  I have had MANY people ask me about it and wonder if I was getting it removed, but it's part of you and was the first thing the nurses pointed out when they laid you on my chest a year ago.  
    
24. You love new environments.  In fact, you are often a happier baby when you are somewhere new.  At this point you have zero separation anxiety and you easily go to other people.  I love that the women who watch you in MOPS know your personality and know when you aren't yourself either.  Many people love you, sweet boy.
25. You are an explorer.  You crawl around nonstop and I can often find you with your head in the dryer, pulling out toy bins, or trying to find things under the table.  I apologize for the sheer amount of Legos and Perler beads you have probably ingested during your explorations.
26. You love to put your fingers in people's mouths.  It drives me nuts.  I can very rarely just hold you without you trying to grab my teeth or shoving a fist in my mouth.  
27. Holy cow, kid.  I have never known a child who made such an event of having a bowel movement.  Maybe it's just part of being a boy, but you make sure everyone knows you are working on some business.  Grunts, red face, and even bending over.  
28. Evie constantly refers to you as "my Sammy John."  She is a crazy big sister, but she adores you and loves to try to make you laugh.
    
29. Can we figure out what the deal is with diaper changes?  From day one you have hated them, and continue to hate them.  Maybe this will push you to potty train faster??? Wishful thinking, I am sure.
30. You have brought a joy to this family that we didn't know was missing until you arrived. I get this urge to squeeze you every time I pick you up because I just cannot get enough of those dimples, round belly, and sweet smile.  Thank you for what you have taught me about myself as a mom, and for adding a little more testosterone to this household of Barbies and tutus.  I cannot way to watch you grow, to watch you learn, and to see what kind of personality you are going to have.  

Happy Birthday, sweet boy!  We love you!