I know I've said it before, but I'm as shocked as always to find you are another month older. This time, though, you're not just a month older. Today you reached the milestone of turning one. A year ago today, we were meeting you for the very first time. Today, you fill every moment of our days.
And when I say fill, I mean it. You are a boy on the move from the moment you wake up. It can be hard to keep up with you -- you are one fast crawler! Just a couple of days before your birthday, you took your first steps. You have wanted to walk for so long, have insisted we hold your hands and help you get from place to place. You're still unsteady and a bit unsure, but I can see how proud you are of yourself. I know it will only be a short time until you are running.
Every day with you is a reminder that, while your dad and I will always help guide you through life, you are your own little person, and that's how you came to us. Every day, we get to watch more and more of your personality emerge. You love balls and balloons and anything you can throw. You love to steal toothbrushes. You do not like being told you can't do something or have something you want and you make your frustration known. You are a keen observer and take everything and everyone in. It takes you a while to warm up to people, but everyone you meet is captivated by you. How could they not be?
You love your house, especially playing on the back deck and upstairs. I think the upstairs of the house might be your favourite place in the world, which I think has partially to do with one of your other favourite things: Spookie. You love that little black cat, and despite the fact you are not always gentle with her, she seems to love you, too. Anytime you are sad, just whispering "Where's Spookie?" in your ear brings the biggest grin to your face. Today, you crawled up to her very slowly and put your face right by hers. She reached her head up and sniffed the tip of your nose. You giggled the sweetest, softest baby giggle and looked at me as though your life was complete.
We had a party for you on the weekend. I wasn't sure what you would think of being the guest of honour at a party, since too many people and too much going on still overwhelms you. But you seemed to understand everyone was here for you and were so happy the whole time. You especially loved that your dad had filled your little pool with all the balls he could find. It was like you were sitting in a little piece of heaven. Seeing your joy couldn't have made me happier.
Last night, your dad and I spent a long talking about the time leading up to, and just after, your birth. It is the most intense experience either of us has ever been through, and knowing that it was already a year ago is hard to believe. But in another way, most of the time, I can hardly remember what my life felt like before you arrived.
I am amazed every day to see the little boy my baby is turning into. And even though I love watching you learn and grow, I also love having you crawl up into my lap and lie in my arms like the baby you were, and in many ways, still are. I understand now why everyone warns new parents of how quickly time passes.
Happy birthday, sweet boy. I can only imagine what this next year holds for you.
Sept 6, 2011
Sept 6, 2012
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