To my dear, sweet Little Man on your first birthday....
I remember the day you were born into our lives like it was yesterday. You were so perfect, so fragile and so full of life. The moment I laid eyes on you I was breathless. I was completely taken away with your presence. You complete me.
As the months went by we could see your true personality shine through. You are so strong and brave. You don't let anything stand in your way. The moment your eyes open in the morning a smile comes across your face. You wear your heart on your sleeve and give all that you have to give in everything that you do. You persevere until you accomplish your goals. You are so loving, kind, gentle and giving. You continue to amaze us each and every day.
You and I have had such a connection since your conception. I can just close my eyes and sense what it is that you need. The night we brought you home from the hospital we laid you down in the bed between us in the co-sleeper in the big bed. You immediately opened your eyes and started crying. We took away the co-sleeper, laid you down next to us, and you snuggled right in to fall asleep for the night. And there you remain. You are a child that flourishes with attachment parenting, yet at times you stand on your own two feet and walk away laughing with all your heart. I know exactly what I'm supposed to do just by looking at you and following my heart. This is what I plan to do for the rest of your life. I will always be here for you with all that I have.
You love your sissy so much. When nothing else will do, you will see her sitting there on the floor waiting to play with you, and you will run over to join in the fun. You love to read together, sing together, dance while she plays piano, color, let her pretend to be your teacher, practice walking, jump on the couch (or bed), and even let her do your hair. You are so lucky to have such a sibling to share your life with!
You are a true Daddy's boy. The minute you hear the big red truck pull into the drive you start saying "da da! da da! da da!" until he comes in to pick you up. You look so much like him, act just like him, and have so many of his attributes. This is a wonderful thing. I know you will grow up to be the same one-of-a-kind man that he is, and I am so proud of that. You guys loved to play ball together. From the time you were old enough to sit up and hold a ball, you've been pitching it to Daddy. You have quite the arm!! (and I'm not just saying that because I'm your mom) You can throw and catch like a pro already, and it's one of your most favorite things to play. You also like to do what I call the "fake out" which is to sit in one place, pretend to go for something you know you shouldn't, laugh as you watch everyone go to prevent you, then run right back to your original position. You will do this over and over, thinking it is just hilarious! You also love to kick balls as you walk across the floor. You kicked so much in the womb, it's no wonder you're so good at it! We wonder if you will be a football, soccer or baseball player....
I am so thankful and blessed that you chose us to be your family. I can't imagine life without you in it. Your little soul is so precious, and I'm overcome with joy each time I look at you. I feel like the luckiest mom in the world.
I can't wait to see what the next year will bring. Right now you are starting to walk all over the house, running from thing to thing steadying yourself as you go. This time next year I'm sure I'll be the one running to catch up with you. I plan on teaching you to never change the way you are right now at this very moment. I want you to always live each day with the fascination and wonder that you do right now. I want you to never take no for an answer, let passion be your guide, strive for complete happiness in all that you do, and stay the sweet and sensitive soul that you are. I'm so glad I can stay here with you every step of the way to make sure that happens.
Here are some pictures of you at your best as you turn wonderful one...
Playing piano, just like Sissy....
Watching your very first snow fall out the window...
Playing with your new cell phone...
A few other tid bits about you right now.....
You are almost 25 pounds. You LOVE to dance, and you LOVE music! Your favorites are zydeco, bluegrass, and outlaw country classics. You are already starting to put 2 words together. Fact...you have been saying "mama" and meaning it since you were 6 weeks old. No joke. You say "nun nun" for nurse. You love to throw things and grunt. (especially your food if you are full) When you see the dogs you pant. :) You love to play with sissy's horses and "neigh!" It sounds so real!!! Your shoe size is a 4 double wide. You're wearing 24 month clothes already. You are the love of my life. xo Love, mommy.
Here are a couple videos of you. (be sure to pause the music below) The first one is of you pretending to sneeze. You are so adorable when you do that! The second one is of daddy running you around the dining room. Look at your little feet go!
2 comments:
You are such a SPECIAL BOY, Levi!!! You have an AMAZING mama who is blessed to have such a gift of parenting and who sees all the little things and celebrates them. You have no idea how lucky you are. Happy First Birthday, Big Man! Hope to see you soon!
Liz & Chris this blog is wonderful - and good subjects to go with it. You all take wonderful pics too. Levi & Aubrey are very lucky children to have you all as parents.
Love you all, Grandma J
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