Kelli Trontel

My baby is 11 months old!!! Can’t believe this. I really can’t wrap my mind around this. Is this for real?

Oh Ezra….our love for you is great. We love to just stare at you. Your contagious smile is such a blessing to us. You are such a sweet-sweet baby, who is growing quickly. So quickly.

This month- you have spent more time in your crib than any other month. This has been good for momma and daddy, but we sure do miss you…..we miss holding you in our arms while you sleep…..but as big boys do….you want to sprawl out and just enjoy a good deep sleep. This is good for all of us.

We took a few trips with you this month, which included Southern California- you did great on the airplane! Always trying to make the fellow passengers and flight attendants smile. You achieved your goal….they loved you.

You love to explore. You are quick on your hands and knees….you’ll be walking soon! I love how interested you are in all sorts of things- everything is new to you. You love to share, especially new treasures that you find. In the photos below…you wanted to show momma blades of grass, rocks and sticks! You are such a BOY! And I love it!

Can’t believe that you will be ONE this month! We have lots of family coming into town to celebrate this day with us. Can’t wait!

Ezra, We love you sweet boy. You have certainly brightened our lives….you have taught us so much this year, especially in the area of priorities and focussing on what is most important. We pray for you daily….praying that you would come to know Jesus and be a world changer. You are special and we know you were created for a purpose….a very specific purpose. Our love for you has no limits…..

xoxo,
momma & daddy

My baby is TEN MONTHS old!!! I’m posting this super late this month….so he’s really just days away from being eleven months, which means we are just weeks away from someones 1st birthday! Oh my!! I can’t even go there yet…..I’m soaking in these days.

We officially have a crawler…and a fast one at that! Ezra also loves to climb stairs. He can easily conquer the two steps at our shop, but he actually had no problem at all climbing the staircase in our house, which is steep! Reed was behind him the entire time, but our little guy never looked back…he was focused and determined….and made it to the top! Needless to say, we’ve got a gate up at the bottom of our stairs.

I’ve been spending less of my day at the shop these days….it’s been tough to keep our little explorer contained for hours on end. He wants down- he wants to crawl- and I don’t blame him. He’s such a people person- the perfect little greeter each and every time someone walks through the door. We love this about him! This is what reminds me of my dad…he would talk with everyone and thats pretty much Ezras little spirit.

A few new adventures this month:

1. Your babble tones have expanded- and there’s a lot of energy and passion when you talk!
2. You’ve been saying momma, dadda, baba…..but yesterday you said “Uh Oh” for the very first time! Sweetest sound.
3. Your little toes…..are growing! They are definitely longer…preparing for your first steps.
4. You are such a good eater [this is obvious from the photos and your whopping 26 pounds on the scale]- a few of your favorite things to eat these days are black beans & rice, avocado, sweet potatoes, peas and blueberries!
5. We had to take you to urgent care for the first time. So sad. You were sitting in your booster seat and momma took the tray off to wipe it down. We thought you were safe since daddy was sitting at the table with you, but you decided to lunge [forcefully] forward and your chair, with you attached to it, fell to the floor. You scraped your head, but we wanted to make sure everything was OK. The doctor checked you out….and told momma and daddy that this would be the first of many. Ugh!

Ezra, you are our joy. Having you in our life is such a blessing. You have taught us much about how we spend our days and time. Life is precious and quickly passing by. You slow us down…..you remind us that being in the moment and making real connections matter most. You are shaping us to be better parents….a better husband and wife…..better lovers of people. We want to show you what quality time looks like. We want you to know that you are loved and valued. You love us unconditionally and we are thankful for that. It’s refreshing. Oh the love and wonder of a child……this is what Jesus was talking about.

Love, momma & daddy

It’s amazing how much a baby can change our perspective on life and relationships. When I sat down to write out a Mothers Day card for my mom this year….I couldn’t hold back the tears. So much thankfulness and appreciation came flooding out- like never before. I am just now getting a glimpse into all that she has done for me and how much she loves me…..life is incredible this way.

The best part of this Mothers Day weekend was having Pastor Levi dedicate Ezra. I have witnessed many baby dedications….and it really was a special moment for me. I couldn’t believe that it was my turn…..that it was Reed and I standing there with our son….thanking the Lord for our sweet baby and dedicating him in front of our church. A moment hidden in my heart forever. Many of my family and friends couldn’t be here for the dedication, but my friend Eric sent this video clip to me this week- so you can watch it below!

Sometimes I get overwhelmed by the role of MOTHERHOOD. What a huge responsibility we have….once a mom, always a mom. Forever. Our job is never done. I know that I can not do this on my own and I am thankful to have an amazing God with a Grace that never runs out…..and sweet girlfriends who have walked this new season of motherhood closely by my side [whether in person or phone calls].

It’s incredible to think that the Lord knew Ezra before he ever began forming in my womb. He loves Ezra and has a plan for his life. We named Ezra with intention…..his name means ‘Gods Help” and we are believing this on so many levels. Ezra already has a love for people. He is full of joy. His smile is contagious. We believe without a doubt that people will be drawn to Ezra- for these strong characteristics will be used to change the world, for Gods glory!

////Mothers Day gift
I’ve been wanting this bracelet for a while now, and I was super excited to be given this from Reed for my 1st Mothers Day. SO special.

Ezra got to meet his great aunt and great uncle last week! I love moments like these. So thankful for days like these ones.

I absolutely love where we live…and we understand that it’s not an easy place to visit. We’ve had family visit on and off since Ezra was born, but it’s really sweet to see family meet him for the first time. I love my aunt and uncle….and I loved that this trip happened for them.

Aunt Lauren could get Ezra to do his “silly face” on demand….too funny! Glad we captured it in these photos- priceless!

We love you Dirk & Lauren!
xoxo

If anyone finds the pause button….please send it over to me.

MY BABY IS NINE MONTHS OLD!! He’s got 8 teeth, he’s crawling like crazy and we are sharing meals these days! WHAT?!? Yep, Ezra loves food- fruits, veggies and water…..lots of water [out of the glass!].

Oh, and it’s almost impossible to take a photo of him that is in focus…..momma’s got to be quick! So, needless to say….no more laying baby down and taking as many shots as I’d like, while he smiles up at me. HA! Random objects will most likely accompany my son in future photos- kinda like the lens cap and piece of paper in the images below. I also loved how Ezra turned his back on the camera for a second….thank goodness it was only a moment and smiles returned! Whew!

A few new adventures this month:

1. TWO MORE TEETH! [8 total]
2. You mastered CRAWLING….and you’re picking up speed!
3. You can STAND UP! You are pulling yourself up on anything and everything these days!
4. You went on your very first airplane ride [Southwest Airlines to Skull Church Albuquerque] !!

Ezra, you make this really funny face these days. You have mommy and daddy laughing- constantly. We love our mornings with you….you wake up smiling and ready to start your day [even though our alarms would allow us to sleep an extra hour longer]! You have such a joyful spirit about you and that is so refreshing to us. Our prayer is that people will continue to be drawn to you so you can share the heart of Jesus with the world. We love you more than you’ll ever know…..

Love, momma & daddy