Birthday Boy

One year ago I held you in my arms for the first time. It was a moment I'll never forget. In that moment everything was right in the world. It was happiness I never thought I could feel. You, me and dad. There we were, sitting in a silent little hospital room, overwhelmed with happiness, sure we could take on the world together.

All too soon we will let go of the handle bars on your very first bike and watch you ride down the street all by yourself. We will clean up the dirt you track in after playing outside with the neighbor kids. We will take you on the boat and teach you to wakeboard. All too soon you won't laugh at my funny faces, you will roll your eyes when dad tells you to clean your room and you will think you are too cool to hang out with your parents.

All too soon you will be thrown into a crazy, cruel, dishonest and confusing world. You will make adult decisons at a young age and deal with pain and problems that aren't fair. And then one day you will hold your first son in your arms for the first time, and only then will you be able to understand what it is we feel for you. And only then will you know that life really isn't so bad.

So for now, I am soaking up every minute I can with you. Your gorgeous blue eyes and those chunky baby cheeks. Your crooked jaw smile and your sweet, high pitched laugh. The way you happily smirk when you feed Rockie from the highchair. Your big smile and jibber-jabber when we get you out of your crib in the morning. Your endless laugh when I tickle your belly button. The way you light up when I sing you a love song.

Today, you are one year old. I am working my hardest to make this the best Birthday for you! I'll give you an extra cookie after lunch. I'll push you around the house on your favorite little yellow bus. Dad and I will give you extra kisses all day long. I'll make cupcakes and cake pops while you sleep. And then we'll meet all of our favorite people at the pool because I know how much you love the water! After swimming you can open presents and we will let you eat a cake all by yourself. And when we put you to bed, daddy will read you an extra book.

All of this for you, because it's your big day, my sweet little guy.

And we love you more than you will ever know.