First Birthday Letter

Dear Jake,

I have been trying to come up with the right words for this letter for the last couple weeks. I worried about how it would be loving a second child while I was pregnant but that all changed the moment I met you. My heart literally grew by two feet (hehehe. Totally cliche. Very Hallmark. But so true.) You instantly molded into our family and I can no longer remember what it was like without you here.

You have flourished. Grown into such a curious, silly, happy ONE YEAR old. You say “Mama” very clearly. Dada, baba. LOVE to show people your belly. And nose. And head. We are working on feet right now. You sign: more, please, milk, and are learning “thank you” and “all done”. You climb. Everything. Love to climb up the ladder on our play structure and go down the slide. Head first. While you often gravitate towards which ever toys your brother is playing with, you LOVE balls, trucks, and books. Particularly the touch and feel books. By far, your biggest love seems to be food or your binks. Followed closely by music- whenever you hear music you immediately stop what you are doing and dance. You haven’t been a fan of the car since birth, but I finally discovered that MUSIC was the answer to your happiness. Either Ty and I sing to you or we listen to the radio.

You are quickly outgrowing 12 to 18 month clothing and have already moved up to size 4 diapers. Your brother wears a 5. Right now. You seem to be completely content crawling everywhere. You take a couple steps here and there but no real walking going on. You much prefer to be carried. By mama. Everywhere. Slowly but surely your hair is getting curlier and curlier. I love it.

Your eyes. Your smile. Your curls. Make me smile. Your laugh brightens my day. When you stop what you are doing when I enter a room and crawl towards me, my heart melts. I love you more than words can express and am so grateful to be your Mommy. I am proud of all that you have accomplished in your first year and look forward to all the things that are to come…most notably sleeping entirely through the night. Like til, 8 am. On Saturdays and Sundays. And Mondays. And Tuesdays. And Wednesdays. And Thursdays. And Fridays.

I love you Jakey.
Happy Birthday Sweet Boy.