Happy Birthday - One Year Old

I keep sitting down to write this post, then distracting myself. I have so much in my heart on my baby's 1st birthday. I know I cannot do this justice. But here goes.

Baby, you slipped into our world...after 9 months of waiting, and 11 hours of labor. I was scared to be your mother. Would you know who I was? Would I recognize you as the little being who slept under my heart, and kicked your love to me with tiny feet and fists? You felt light and warm placed on my chest, barely seconds from your birth, and we were already crowned "new parents." We immediately felt blessed God gave you to us.

You were so small, fragile, and unknowing. I felt so small, fragile and unknowing.

In a heartbeat, we loved you. In the days and months that passed, we came to love you more deeply, fiercely. You are our peanut, little dude, buggy, buster, buddy, bugaboo, punkin-munkin, sweetie pie. Sometimes we actually call you by your given name too! 🙂 

In a year you have gone from lying cradled in our arms, to clinging to our shoulder as you ride on our hip. From day one, your eyes have been bright and observant, your feet strong and active, and your hands always moving - some things never change!

Every time you learn something new about your world, my heart jumps at your new understanding. How to grasp, roll over, smile, sign "milk," throw objects, open a book, look for toys under the couch, feed yourself, sit up, crawl, stand up, say "dada" and "car," point to your belly button, boogie in your diaper, "swim" through the air with your whole body when you're excited, give hugs and "bumps," play peekaboo, blow kisses... you are inquisitive and determined. Fearless, friendly, and fun-loving.

I am proud to be your mama. Your father is proud to be your dada. We love you. We love you. We love you.

Happy Birthday, our little one. We are so glad you were born.