The life of a boater

I had last Friday off and we headed out on the lake with my family for Hunter's first boating experience. He wasn't thrilled with the life jacket and was a bit overwhelmed by the noise of the boat in the beginning. 

But then, Aunt Jackie let him stand in front of her and play with the steering wheel and he was a happy fellow from then on. Hunter loves to play with any steering wheel and all of the buttons on a console. Honking the horn is an extra special treat! 

I had four months of maternity leave and Hunter is now sixteen months old so Jared has taken care of Hunter for a full year. Amazing how quickly the time passes! Jared has done such a good job with Hunter and they play hard during the day. Hunter has learned some awesome dance moves from his Daddy as they listen to music frequently. 

Hunter gets a second wind when I come home and we play until it's time for dinner, bath, books, and bed. Jared and I joke that Hunter does toddler cross fit all day long. There is no way I could move as much as this kiddo does. He is either fast asleep or in a constant motion of running, climbing, or jumping. Meals in the high chair are lasting about five minutes because he just cannot stand to be cooped up for long. He will sit in the high chair longer if we have company over because he wants to entertain the crowd and not miss out on anything. 

I am in awe of my love for this little guy. It sounds so smushy because parents always talk about how much they love their children, blah, blah, blah and that you just can't even understand until you have your own child. Fine, you were all right and I get it. And yes, the love does just keep growing because now Hunter and I are in a relationship. I loved snuggling the little peanut when he was an infant because there is nothing like a sleeping baby on your chest, but now he smiles when I come home and says "mama" when he wants me and we have tickle fights and his laugh cures the world of all evil for a few moments. We love each other now and that is spectacular. Only sixteen months ago Hunter wasn't even out in the world and now, I cannot imagine life without him.