Your birthday

On your first birthday, it was business as usual...for the most part! Your grandma and grandpa from up north were here. Grandma and I took you shopping for strawberries, shortcake cups, chips and ice cream. You were good all day, as if you didn't even notice it was your birthday.

I spent a little time remembering the day I met you. You were so little and skinny! You weighed just more than 7 pounds. You didn't move much, and you slept a lot that day. I was amazed at you, enthralled by you and frightened of you. I didn't know much about babies, and I really didn't know you at all yet.

Over your first year, we learned so much about you. You are an early riser. You are very social. You are curious about everything you see and you use your feet as if they are hands. You think kitties are toys and dogs are hilarious. You love music and you've definitely got rhythm! You love to take your socks off and refuse to wear shoes. You think riding in the shopping cart is meant to be done sideways. You seem to know that we love you, and Daddy and I are your favorite people, ever. Your feelings get hurt when we just tell you "no", as if you are sad that you disappointed us.

You never disappoint us. You sometimes need correction, but you are learning very quickly.

I held you as you fell asleep on your first birthday, and I cried a little. I wish I hadn't been so afraid of you when you were small. I don't know how the year passed so quickly or why I can hardly remember it. But I am so thankful for you! I love you more than you can believe.

Happy birthday, sweet boy!