Happy birthday baby boy! One year old. No longer an infant. It is a bittersweet day for me. Alex said it best today, "I don't want him to grow up. I want him to always be our little man." I agree. I want you to be my baby forever. I even want the sleepless nights rocking and holding you. I never really minded them, because I knew they were fleeting. You can't stay a baby forever, but as I told Alex tonight, you will always be his little brother and our youngest child. Before you, we were a happy little family, but I always knew you were waiting to come into our lives. You have brought us so much joy. You complete our family in a way that I can't even put into words. I thank God every single day for you and the love we all feel for you.
This morning you woke up happy, as you always do! Your brother and sister could not wait to wish you a Happy Birthday. After breakfast, Mr. Scott took Alex and Isabella to church so Mommy and Daddy could finish getting ready for your party. But I'll tell you a little secret...we didn't spend the whole time getting ready...instead we sat in the family room with you and just you for a little bit. We just watched you play and babble and enjoyed a few minutes with only you on your very special day.
This afternoon we had a wonderful party. Family and your little friends filled this house. We celebrated with yummy food and cake and all things Monster. The look on your face when we sang "Happy Birthday" was priceless. You dug right into the cake. You gobbled it up with a little help from your sister and some of your friends. You had so much fun being held by everyone and playing with your toys. You even sat with me the whole time I opened all your gifts!
All that partying wore you out. Tonight I put you in your crib with your bunny and you went right sleep. Never heard a peep out of you. Until about an hour ago. You have been up in your crib playing your music and babbling. I went up at one point and you were standing up wide awake. When you saw me, you smiled your big toothy grin. I couldn't resist. I picked you up, and we sat in the rocking chair. Maybe the cake today gave you a sugar rush or maybe you knew how badly I needed just a few more minutes to snuggle you today. But whatever the reason, we sat there for quite a while giggling like fools. I will never as long as I live forget your first birthday, and those moments with just you and me will always be my favorite part of this wonderful day.
A few things I want you to know about you at ONE:
You are not a man of many words (yet). You say, "Ma, Dada, Pop, Bottle, Balloon, Tickle-Tickle." You love balloons, and the house was filled with them today for you Monster Party. You kept saying, "Ooh Balloon."
You crawl, scoot, and cruise all over the place. You can stand by yourself for a long time but aren't quite ready to take those first steps.
You cry when Alex and Isabella leave for school in the morning. You try to crawl out the door after them. You love them so much, and they think you are the best little brother ever!
Every morning you cuddle with daddy, and you love love love him! You greet him every evening with the biggest smile. You will crawl clear across the house to get to him when he walks in the door! During the day, you hold the phone up to your ear and say, "Da Da Da Da."
You are a social boy! You love to be around people. I always joke that if people make eye contact with you, they are in trouble because you will want to be their friend for life. When we spend time with our family, you never cry. Everyone always talks about how you are the best baby. You are always so happy, even if you have missed your nap, as you usually do on Sundays at Grandma and Pop's house!
You love your bunny, macaroni and cheese, veggie sticks, climbing stairs and playing in the cabinets, music (especially "No More Monkeys Jumping on the Bed"), books, anything electronic (the phone and the remote are always finding their way into your hands), being outside, tickles (you love to tickle your own belly), and bath time.
I look forward to each and everyday because you are mine all mine. I know that each year is going to go by faster than the one before. I promise to cherish this time that you are with me day in and day out. I will not wish this time away, because all too soon you will be a big boy just like Alex. But no matter how big you get, you will always be my baby, my youngest, the piece of the puzzle that completed my heart.
I love you with every ounce of my being! Happy Happy Birthday, Zachary, my love!
Mommy
