One Year Old

This morning I woke up to noises coming from your bedroom. I tried to ignore them for just a moment to get a few more minutes of sleep. You had a very restless night, waking up three or four times crying. I like to blame this sort of unacceptable behavior on teething, so we'll say you are teething. The noises that I heard this morning, however, weren't noises of pain or discomfort. They were of pure joy. Squeals and giggles slid under your doorway and into my room. For a moment I thought maybe your big brother had snuck in your room to wish you a happy birthday. He is always one to make you happy. You adore him almost just as much as he adores you.

I finally mustered the strength to roll my tired and stiff body out of bed. I shuffled across the hallway, still half asleep and opened the door to your room. As I did so I saw that you were in your crib, alone, happy as a clam. Your excitement had escalated since seeing me walk through the door. I scooped you up in my arms, smothered you with groggy kisses and wished you a happy first birthday. You patted me a few times right smack dab in the middle of my face (as you tend to do when you're excited). I took you in to your dad who was still in bed. You coaxed him out of bed and continued to giggle and squeal. All the commotion finally woke your brother up so we all sang "Happy Birthday" to you. You were pretty clueless as to what it was all about, but enjoyed the attention anyway.

This past year has gone by much too fast, as time always does when it comes to my babies. You were an easy delivery and an even easier recuperation. That first week we had you home our family was hit with the worst stomach virus of the year. Poor grandma wasn't even able to escape it. You and I stayed confined in your bedroom for a few days until the coast was clear. I'd say it was lucky that we didn't get sick, but you and I both know it was a miracle. There were several months when you were just completely miserable. You cried and cried and I cried right along with you at times. It tore my heart out seeing you in so much pain. Colic runs in the family but you were also hit with a bad case of acid reflux.

After we got through that rough patch you were so full of life and joy. Your personality started to shine through those big blue eyes of yours. You soaked everything up and learned things much quicker than I was ready for you to. You became inseparable to your big brother and spent every waking moment right next to his side.

You are curious about everything around you and love discovering new things. You love toys but books are you true passion. You also love to empty drawers and cabinets, picking each item up and looking at it before throwing it to the ground. You absolutely love bananas. I even found you cramming one into your mouth (peel and all) that you had found in a basket that was on the floor. You bawled when I took that peel away, thinking I had robbed you of your favorite food. You are a lover and always up for a good snuggle. I adore seeing you crawl over to me reaching your hands up in the air begging me to pick you up. I always get rewarded with a big hug.

You will always be such a blessing to us. Our little ray of sunshine after the rain. I thank my Heavenly Father each and every day for blessing me with you in my arms to hold forever. I love you Tiny.

Happy first birthday!