You're ONE!

Dear Luke,

Today is your birthday!  I can hardly believe it, can you?  The time has gone by in what seems like an instant...I remember very vividly the day you came into this world and it just doesn't seem like it was a whole year ago.

Your Dad and I were so excited for you to get here and when you FINALLY made your way out, I think we both were just overwhelmed with this happiness and feeling of contentment.  We came to the hospital as a couple and left just 2 days later as a full-blown family.  Sometimes I think we should have been more nervous or down-right scared.  But honestly, we weren't; we were happy and tired and ready to start our life together.

I think back on those early days with you.  I'm not going to lie - you were HARD!  The first 3-4 months (okay, maybe the first 6 months) were definitely difficult at times....you were kinda high-strung and didn't like to chill out and relax like Mama!  You weren't a good napper and seemed to want to eat ALL the time.  But you turned a corner somewhere around 6 months or so and since that moment I feel like time has gone by at warp speed.

You are so happy.  You love to play and squeal and be chased.  You adore your Dad.  He adores you even more.  You don't like to snuggle most of the time, but when you need a little TLC you will come to me for a quick squeeze.  One of my favorite parts of the day is when I rock you before bed.  It's the only time you'll really lean into me and cuddle.  You let me kiss your forehead and cheeks, and even tickle the side of your face as you drift off to sleep.

You are on the move all the time.  You are ready to play from the moment you wake up in the morning.  You love to read books.  It's so great now because you'll bring them two by two to us and plop down on our laps so we can read them to you.

You jabber all the time - mama, dada, baba, nanas (food)... You point all the time - I guess at some point we'll have to teach you that it's not polite, but right now it's pretty hilarious how you can find a ceiling fan ANYWHERE and instantly point to it and start jabbering.

You pretty much run everywhere now.  One of your favorite parts of the day is walking into Callan's building and getting on the elevator.  Then you toddle right into his house, ready to start your day with him and Adelia.  The doorman/woman love you - every night you walk out all by yourself and sometimes you even go right behind their desk like you own the place.  Luckily you're cute and they like it.

I could go on and on about how much I love everything about you.  You make every day better than the last.  You made your Dad and I love each other even more than we thought we could.  And we multiply that love by infinity for you.

Happy birthday my sweet Luke, you are ONE!

Here's is Mama's tribute to your first year....my how you have grown and changed.  I can't wait to see what the next year brings!

(don't forget to turn your speakers on!)