Disney World Love

Once Upon a Time . . . we went to Disney World. And so our Disney Love story began.

Every day spent with my Little One is filled with magic. I feel a little magic every time he smiles, laughs, crawls into my lap, every time I realize he is my little boy and I have the rest of my life to spend loving him and being his Mommy.

I also felt a little magic on our recent trip to Disney World. Or maybe, a lot of magic. Disney World magic. Together, in a world where magic and feeling like you've never grown up lives in your heart, we had a magical time being together and sharing precious memories.

The Disney Fam. :)

Disney World is a really special place for our family, we've been countless times over the years and it has become to us a home away from home. From the moment we arrive to the moment we leave, we all feel like we belong there, like we're a part of the place, like we're part of the magic. And whether you're eighty or one years old, you can still fall in love with every moment you spend there. Just as our Little One did. Reece being just a wee one couldn't experience the whole place, but from what he could experience, he loved dearly. Every ride he went on, every parade he saw, every character he spent time with, became a part of him, whether he knew it or not. Disney World Love was growing inside of him. Just as the magic was.

The Three Weigand's on Main Street.

Reece and Grammy smiles.

Princesses twirling.

When we first arrived to "The Most Magical Place On Earth", we didn't know how much our Little One was going to enjoy, or if there would be more tears than smiles. If he would sleep half the time or cry when he saw giant Mouses and Dogs and Bears go past him. Or get scared when firework after firework lit up the night sky. But just like the rest of our family, from the very beginning, Reece was a Disney Diehard. He very rarely closed his eyes when we were in the Parks (didn't want to miss out on a second), and he didn't get scared (Not even on the "Haunted Mansion" ride haha). He just took it all in, staring and smiling and loving it all.  While everything we did merited a place in his heart, his very favorite things that we did were the carousel, the Dumbo ride, the parades and the firework show, "Wishes".  He never stopped smiling on the rides, never stopped staring at the parades, and never stopped pointing at the fireworks. (Reece was totally obsessed with lights during this time and kept pointing at the bursts of light that filled the sky, and showing them to me, while saying, "Liiiii" over and over.)

And while everything at Disney World is truly amazing, I've already rode and seen everything dozens of times, so you could say I've done it all before, but this time was all together different. I got to experience everything a first time through Reece's eyes. I got to see what Mickey Mouse dancing on a float and Princess's twirling near the castle and little Hawaiian girls dancing meant to a one year old. And I also got to see things I never really thought of noticing, or hadn't noticed in awhile. Little things. Reece noticed details, noticed the water on the ferry ride, noticed sparkling lights everywhere, noticed Mickey Mouse on the brochure and everything in between. I got to see everything I usually see, plus every thing a Little One sees. And it's a bunch of little things that matter the most. And it's the little things that all add up to make one place super special. Or in Disney World's case, super magical.

Water Loving.

Brochure staring.

Finger pointing.

It was such a sweet and magical and truly special time we spent together in that Magical Land. I can't wait until we can bring Reece back. And while he'll be older, and see and experience new things, there's nothing like a first time. 

And even though the week had to finally come to an end, we took a little magic home with us that week so we can forever remember the first time our Little One lived and loved Disney World.

Reece getting his First Haircut on Main Street!

One happy Mommy and one little boy totally
obsessed with the stickers covering his body. :)

A rare nap.

Ahhhh! SHARK!

Carousel memories.

Dumbo ride!

Reece full of parade happiness.

Silly faces with my Baby Love.

Sound asleep again . . .

 . . .  But not for long.

Main Street Sparkles.

Disney and Mickey.

Castle Love.

Family Portrait.

Pure happiness. :)

Our Little Disney Baby.

Walking down Main Street . . .

Mickey Mouse Love.

Mickey and Minnie.

And now that we've left and made our way home, it may be goodbye, but it's not the end. It's only the beginning of our Disney Magic Adventures. Only the beginning of our Disney Love. 

But for now, we will all live Happily Ever After . . .

Letter for My Little One on his First Birthday

Dear My Precious Reece,

You're one years old. I never thought this day could come so quickly, never realized how fast my little baby would be growing up into such a special, amazing, perfect little boy. I wanted to write you on your special day to let you know how just one little year with you has changed my life so much. How these past twelve months has been better than any other twelve months and it's all because of having you in my life.

You are such a part of my heart, part of my being, part of my each and every moment, thought and day. I see your smile and hear you laugh always. I store every memory of you deep inside me, because I don't want to forget a single memory, a single tear, grin or breath. You are my everything and I have deeply enjoyed holding you tight in my arms this past year, watching you grow, achieve and become the perfect little boy that I will love and treasure for ever and ever. You can't imagine how much I love you today, nor can I grasp how much I will love you tomorrow and the next day, because my love never stops growing for you.

If I could slow down a few days I would, just to try to have some extra time to love you and show you how you are such a wonderful little boy. Have some extra hours to make you smile and laugh. Tickle away your tears and sadness. Some extra minutes to make up for nap time and the time we spend away from each other when you visit dreamland. But since that's not possible, I treasure each and every moment I have with you. I enjoy each speck of living we do together, cherish every little step towards me, every squeal of delight, every grasp of my hand, and know this is only the beginning. These first twelve months were absolutely perfect with us growing together, you into a special little you, me into a mother, but we will continue to grow together, because we have so much still ahead of us. I have been blessed to witness all your wonderful milestones,  smiling, laughing, rolling, crawling, teething, eating, walking, but there is so much to come. But loving has been my favorite milestone. Loving you and seeing you return the love by hugging me, knowing me, wanting to spend time with me, is just the best gift I have ever been given.

This letter is just part of my heart for you to have, even though you have my whole heart today and for the rest of your life. I will continue to do everything I can for you, to make sure each and every month of your life is even more perfect and special than that next. Each day is filled with love, togetherness, learning, growing and being. You are my little boy, growing so much, too quickly, but no matter how big you are, how old you get, you will always be my little one, my little baby I hold onto each morning as I lift your smiling face out of your crib, and rock to sleep every night.

I try not to look at this First Birthday of yours as twelve months behind us, but twelve months of unforgettable times showing us what has only just begun, what we have to look forward to, helping us know how easy time flies, and how even easier it is to cherish each and every moment we have together. I know in my heart you are a part of me and always will be. I love you more than words can say, even though I will always keep trying to express how much one little man can mean to his mother.

You are the best gift anyone could ever have been given. And every birthday when you receive all your presents, I will always be reminded of the best one I have ever received: You. And how each and every day you'll keep giving to me, giving your love, smiles, and memories.

If this past twelve months has taught me anything, it's that's my love for you keeps growing stronger, keeps growing sweeter, keeps growing more precious. And each day I enjoy loving you more and more. On your First Birthday, I want you to know that twelve little months ago you changed my life forever, and it's the best thing that could have ever happened to me, and I will go on trying to let you see how much you mean to me, over and over.

I love you my little boy. My Reece. My baby. My son.You are perfect my little one. Happy First Birthday.

I love you.

Your Mommy.

A Magical Birthday

Our Little One turned one today. And it was truly magical.  I know, every birthday is magical, but this one was extra special because Reece grew a year older at Disney World. He got to share his special day with Mickey Mouse, with Disney Princesses and he even got to blow out his first little candle at Cinderella's castle.  I'm pretty sure there's nothing more magical than that.

When we woke up there was a little extra magic floating in the air, but there was also some mixed feelings with the birthday magic, because along with Reece becoming a step closer to being our little man, he was also a step closer to not being my little baby anymore.  But what kept me from birthday tears was knowing that no matter how old he is, he'll always be our perfect Little One. :)

Where our Little One got to spend
 his First Birthday for a royal lunch!

The day had a perfect beginning and ending, but the most special part of the day happened in the middle. Our Royal Lunch at Cinderella's Castle. We got to dine like royalty, surrounded by Disney princesses and birthday cake. Reece got to meet with and talk with four Disney Princesses: Cinderella, Snow White, Ariel and Belle. All my favorites except for Jasmine. (She must have been off with Aladdin somewhere. Maybe flying on his magic carpet.)

Every princess loved Reece, called him "Prince Charming" and spent precious birthday moments chatting with the birthday boy. Some extra special moments were made with Snow White kept trying to kiss his head like Dopey, Ariel telling Reece she already filled up on seaweed pizza after Reece tried to feed her cheese puffs, and just every Princess from the storybooks being there in real life in front of a happy little birthday boy.

Us and Cinderella.

Spending some quality time with Cinderella. The
 best princess, in my opinion. How magical.

Princess smiles.

Snow White.

Sleeping Beauty.

Ariel.

Belle.

And while there were a few tears following the arrival of the cake, (he got a little upset when we made him take of his nice birthday shirt), there's nothing a little frosting can't fix. A few minutes later our Birthday Boy was back to smiles and spent some quality time with his birthday cake. The rest of the day went by in a blur, but there were so many special memories made that day. Wonderful memories that will forever live inside me and warm my heart. 

My baby turned one year old in Disney World, and I wouldn't change a single moment of it. And when we said goodbye to the day in Epcot, I knew it would be a day to remember forever.

My favorite castle in the world.

When you wish upon a star? Nope. Wish upon a candle.

Some birthday cupcake fun.

Mmmm . . .  frosting. :)

Finger staring and finger licking good.

Inside Cinderella's Castle. 

All happy with a tummy full of cake.

Touching the Cinderella stained glass. Nope, that's not the real one. :)

Where we just enjoyed Reece's Birthday Lunch!

A year older, a year wiser, another year. All that matters is getting to spend another year with little Reece. Another year complete with my absolute perfect, amazing, beautiful Little One. Who every day grows more wonderful, more sweet, more into the little boy I'm going to love forever. Happy Birthday Reece, my lovely Little One.

And I don't know what he wished for while staring at his birthday candle, all I know is my wish came true . . . that I have the best little boy in the world. And I get to spend the rest of my birthday's knowing he's in my life. And nothing can top that.

A goodbye Birthday kiss from a princess. Just like Dopey. :)