Happy Birthday Dear Baby

Baby E,

So here we are, 14 lbs, 7 teeth, 2 trips to the ER, 1 house and a pair of extra wide shoes, one year later and loving every minute of it.

I figure it's appropriate to title this post "Happy Birthday Dear Baby" since that seems to be your favorite book at the moment.  You love everything Dr. Seuss and it's awesome to watch you learn and explore every page.

Now that you've been in my life a full year now, it's amazing to me how I ever lived without you.  You've changed me and my life in some many great ways and I love you so much.

Before you arrived, I was scared of so many things that looking back at it now seemed sort of frivolous.  It all works out just like it's supposed to.

Here are a couple highlights from the past year:

1. The first few months were tough.  You seemed to have some trouble acclimating to your new surroundings.  I can't complain though.  I got LOTS of cuddle time then.
2. You had your first ER visit in this winter when you were diagnosed with RSV.  Talk about scary.  I've never felt so helpless in my life.  You recovered just fine although an inhaler does seem to help now and then.
3. You got your first tooth at around 4 Months old
4. You started crawling about that same time
5. You slept through the night for about 7 solid weeks around 2 months old but not so much since.
6. We bought a new house when you were about 9 months.  I was so sad to leave the first house you lived in but you seem perfectly content to have all this new room to play in.
7. You started walking at about 10 1/2 months.  Why you felt the need to start so early I'll never know but I haven't sat down since.
8. Our favorite thing to do together is cuddle (and the occasional run).  You really seem to love the wind in your face.
9. Your smile and laughter are contagious.  You've been doing both since about 4 months.  You rarely stop.
10. You seem to love balls already.  Somehow you've managed to learn how to kick a ball.  Your daddy is so proud.  He's already talking about taking you in the back yard to kick it around a little bit.

Looking ahead, I hope and pray that you will continue to develop a personality that encompasses love and compassion for others.  That you learn to respect others early and never forget it.  I hope that you continue to be inquisitive and curious.  Don't get frustrated when I tell you "No".  There's a reason and I promise it's for your own good.

And lastly, thank you.  I've been complaining for the past few months that your need to cuddle seems to be gone.  At bedtime, it's been strictly business for you.  Book, Bottle, Brush (your teeth) and Bed.  No cuddle time for mommy until tonight.  I don't know how or why but tonight after your bottle, you decided to curl up and fall asleep on me which made me happier than I can tell you.  It reminded me so much of the first time that happened.  It was the best moment.  Thank you!

So good night, sleep tight.  Know that I'll love you forever and like you for always as long as I'm living, my baby you'll be.

-Mom