To My Birthday Boy,
Oh sweet boy. What a wonderful, hilarious, joyful, exceedingly
blissful year it’s been. What do you
think of your life so far? It’s hard to
believe that, one year ago today, I was just going in for one of your last
checkups only to find out that you’d be joining us in the world a few short
whirlwind hours later. You arrived quiet
and happy, eyes wide. They made you cry
and as soon as your dad came over to see you, you stopped. You knew him.
You had a love thing going on.
From the start, you were just the happiest baby in the
world. You snuggled, ate, slept and
cooed but, with how your dad and I watched you, you would think you were
launching rockets or painting masterpieces.
I never thought we’d be those parents who would sit on the bed, staring
at their sleeping baby, or stay up late talking about what he did and how cute
he was that day. But, boy howdy, we were
and are. We couldn't help it. We still can’t. Be prepared to have us watch you grow for years
to come, cheering and embarrassing the living daylights out of you. It’s fascinating, awe-inspiring and
entertaining.
I've loved this last year more than I ever imagined. I always heard how you don’t understand the
capacity you have to love someone until you have a child. Well, it’s true. Some days I look at you and I still cannot believe you’re here and how
much I love you. It’s without-words-amazing.
What’s more than the love, I like you. I like the little person you've already
started to become. You’re smart. I love watching you figure things out. From puzzles to throwing balls to balancing
yourself as you walk, I like watching the gears turn. You’re funny.
It’s hilarious when you find something simple that makes you laugh and
you do it over and over. Throwing yourself
on the beanbag so your dad will come cover you in kisses is my favorite these
days. You’re kind. From kissing people good-bye to poking Ari in
the eyeball, it’s all done with love. I
like the random moments with you. You’re
the sweetest boy I know. I like that you
hand me tiny things you've found on the floor.
I like how you steal cookies and crawl for the hills. I like that, when you get frustrated, you
wave your hands like mad because you know there’s a sign there that might get
you what you want.
Your milestones this year have been such fun to watch. I can’t help but squeal with glee when you
walk into my arms, grin fixed and legs wobbly.
Your babbling language provides great conversation. Your ability to feed yourself is excellent,
if only a bit messy. But, I do have to
say, you’re not special. At large, your
milestones, accomplishments and abilities aren’t any better or different than
millions of babies around the world who are taking their own first steps or
saying their first words. But, they mean
the world to me and your dad. They are
special and unique and distinctively “Felix”.
No one else in the whole world is learning how you are. No one else experiences new things the way
you do. You are so special. Your existence, your person and your interaction with everything
around you is so very unique. I could
not think you’re more special, advanced, a genius and a total ninja.
Before you were born, we had an ultrasound that showed a
(very normal) bright spot on your heart.
At the risk of sounding, just, the MOST cheesy cheesefest cheeser ever,
it seems to be no coincidence that you’ve become the bright spot in so many hearts. You have this spirit about you and it
radiates. You, your sweet face, goofy
grin and happy self make everyone, from family to strangers, fall in love with
you. That, and so many more of your
personality traits, make me proud and ecstatic to be your mama.
You give me such happiness.
I think you’re a great, cool kid and the best son a mom could ask
for. I knew being a parent would be hard. I prepared for the difficulty. I knew there’d be less sleep and more
messes. But I wasn’t prepared for the
utter, jump-up-and-down, spontaneous dance party, silly song, colorful,
cheek-hurts-from-smiles happiness it would bring.
Thank you for being such a fun part of my life. I so look forward to all the moments to come,
all the things you will learn and see, all the awesome times we’ll all
have. If your first year is setting the
tone, you’re going to have an incredible life, little boy, I have no
doubt. My heart bursts with the anticipation and excitement of it all.
All my love,
Your Mama
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