Happy 1st Birthday!

A year already in the books.  Hard to believe how fast they grow.  Some of you reading this can relate with how much faster life goes when you have kids.  It goes too fast.  Although, being a stay-at-home mom can make some days seem like there is no end in sight.  In this past year, our family has endured many changes.  Griffin was our biggest and best.

Like I did with Gracie for her 3rd birthday, I am writing a letter/blog post for Griffin's 1st.

To our baby boy,

Happy 1st birthday little man!!  I can't believe the day has come and gone, and you are now officially one year old.  Although I'm not fond of the newborn/infancy stage, I do miss it SOME of it.  I miss holding you and snuggling you without you squirming to get out, I miss watching you sleep peacefully in my arms, and I miss nursing you and waking up in the middle of the night (uh nope, I actually don't miss the last part).

In one year, you have learned to see colors, grab things, chew on things, play with your feet and hands, lift your head, roll over, crawl, cruise, walk, babble, laugh without being tickled, play with your sister, sign "please", "more", and "all done", interact with us, dance, smile for the camera, and the best of all, eat real food!  You are growing up, Griffin, and I can hardly believe it.

In this past year, I have watched you and Gracie develop this amazing bond.  She loves you with all her heart!  My favorite moments in life have now become watching the two of you play and listening to the two of you making each other laugh.  It makes me so happy to see the love you guys have for each other; it warms every ounce of me.  I pray that you and Gracie never lose that love and happiness for each other.  That you guys are always respectful and sweet to each other...even when you're both in your teens.

Mommy and Daddy couldn't be more proud of the little person you are developing into.  This is only your first full year of life, and you have so much more ahead of you.  We look forward to seeing you grow, watching you develop and experiencing new things with you.  We are already so proud to call you our son, and we thank God for blessing us with you.

And so, we wish you a happy 1st birthday Griffin!  May this next year be filled with love, laughter and new experiences.  Mommy and Daddy love you always and forever!