Happy Birthday, Son

Dear Joshua,

You turn one today. To say that you have blessed my life beyond words this year is an understatement. You came at such a time where Mommy and Daddy needed you so much, and wanted you beyond belief. God blessed us so much when we found out in February '09 that you were on the way!! Everything about your arrival was perfect. I went in knowing I needed another C-Section. I prayed hard that you would be able to room-in with me, and go home with me, and you made sure all those things happened! You were a perfect newborn. You nursed like a champ, and we made it all the way to 9 months!! You had your own plan as far as sleep goes :). You co-slept for the first 6 months, and then we got you in your crib and you did great after that. Every milestone is met with just joy and you make us so proud. It's also a little bitter sweet, because we try and soak it all in, and know that since you are our last baby everything you do will be the last time we get to enjoy it. So, son, it's ok if you want to wait awhile on getting bigger :). You took awhile to crawl, and mama got worried...but everyone assured me you were perfect. Once you started crawling you were unstoppable, and I realized God wanted me to have more time with a non-mobile Joshua since mobile Joshua would give me a run for my money ;).

You are such a light to all you meet. You radiate joy and your smile brightens any room. You are a little flirt! You are so funny. You are also so particular about family. You are willing to give your charming smile, but you don't like being held by anyone until you are absolutely sure of them. Right now only Mommy, Daddy, sisters, Grandma and Aunt Cortney make your list of people you don't get fussy for :).

Your favorites are hugs and kisses and cuddling (Mommy loves this too!!). You love anything orange. You love tossing balls back and forth to anyone who's willing to toss them back your way. You love pulling yourself up on everything. You are such a speedy crawler...and will probably be running in a couple months. You love spaghetti, cheese, turkey, lasagna, bread, bananas, sweet potatoes, carrots, peaches, pears, yogurt, oatmeal, and your "ba ba". We have recently tried cows milk and you are not a fan. Hopefully, you grow to love milk like your sisters. Your sisters make you laugh all day long, and you adore them. You are equally a Mommy and Daddy's boy. When Daddy gets home from work you are giddy and immediately crawl to him and put your arms up for him to pick you up. It's truly the cutest thing ever. You love Gymboree, and have been going for about a month. A lot of the kids are walking already (it's a class for 10-18 month olds), and you crawl over to something you can hold onto, and you'll stand there holding on with one arm and look around and it looks as if you are saying, "Look! I can be upright too!". You love our routine, but you are such an easy on the go baby too. You are so smart, and handsome and loving.

I love you little man, and am so grateful to be your mom. Thank you for one of the best year of my life (and the fastest!).

Happy Birthday,
Mama