One

To our precious son,

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY!!!

We are utterly amazed at how you have transformed in just 12 sweet months. One year ago today you came into this world at 7 lbs., 11 oz. with a full head of hair, two matching dimples and a foothold on our hearts.

Less than an hour old

Each stage of your development has been more joyous than the last. In the early weeks you were just a little football, and your Daddy would pick you up while you were sleeping just because he wanted you close to him. A few months later you smiled at me for the first time, and my heart nearly exploded in my chest. Before long you were holding things for yourself and chewing on your fists. You rolled over and we just wanted you to do it again and again and again. Then you sat up, and it wasn't long before you went from sit-and-play to crawl-and-explore to pull-up-and-climb, and now, to stand-and-walk.

Every day you are doing something new and figuring out things on your own. You know that your cups fit into each other, that the blue circle goes in the round hole, that if you place the car on the top it will go down the track, that you can sign words to us with your hands. We love to watch you in these little activities, and your Daddy and I look at each other and beam at how awesome your development and discovery are.

We were prepared for your arrival-- the name was chosen, the nursery was ready, we had diapers and wipes and itty bitty socks for you. What we weren't prepared for, and I realize now that it's impossible to set one's heart for this, was the sometimes-irrational but always-conscious fear of harm coming to you. It is a fear deeper and more terrifying than anything I have ever felt before you came along, and it sure would be nice if I didn't have it. But I do. And I can see now that it will never go away. Just ask your Gramma.

I have never felt so much joy, never felt more truly blessed, never realized the enormity of God's love for his children than I have this past year. You are too wonderful and I thank God for you each day, and still I catch myself worrying that this is all more than I deserve.

So please ignore these tears in my eyes. I promise you they are there for JOY and AWE and LOVE and PRIDE at how you have become this little person, and how you have changed our lives so remarkably that we can never go back to who we were before.

My birthday wish for you is this -- grow strong and healthy, experience and explore new things, and always know how adored you are. Happy First Birthday, little one.

With all our love and being,
Mommy & Daddy