happy 1st birthday, drew!

A letter to Drew on his first birthday interspersed with cake smash pictures from Christmas Day.

Notice the frosting you put on my nose and the side of Daddy's face, Drew. :)

Sweet Baby,

It has been a year since you were born, and you know what? It has been the best year of my life hands down. Its also been the most challenging and confusing... but that is definitely outweighed by the joy that you brought us.

Your Grandma and Grandpa gave us a date yesterday so your Dad and I went to see a movie, go to the mall and go out to lunch. We were gone for about seven hours... And you know what? At lunch we talked about how much we missed you and that was pretty much the first thing we did yesterday on our date. You have cemented your place with us.

You are the messiest eater, Little Guy.

You know what I missed the most and what I've loved the most this past year?

When you were a little under two months old you started smiling at us and ohhh did I love that... You know, Baby, I like your smiles now even more because often they come with kisses (that I love even if you have Cookie Monster frosting all over your face) or it comes with a belly laugh.... There is nothing I love more than your giggles when Dad and I are tickling you or Daddy is chasing your around the kitchen and living room. It is addicting to listen to.

I love this photo of your Dad so proud and happy to be with you...

I love watching you eat. Its like what I imagine a pie eating contest would be: food every where, a happy person stuffing themselves and yelling out for more food. We try to give you healthy food (for the most part) but I do like to see you devour a cookie I've made or, even though I told him to stop, I liked seeing Daddy squirting whipped cream into your mouth last night and seeing you run after him for more.

In the middle of stuffing yourself you snuggled with me. I live for those moments.

I've loved watching you ease into being an expert walker, you definitely give me a run for my money, but its worth it to see such a little guy tottering around everywhere... Sometimes wobbling and falling like a little drunk. :) And those stairs! You would think that it was Mount Everest the way you continually try to tackle them... and why are they such an enticing thing now that you can fly up them? Is it because I say "no stairs"? :)

You are so brave and independent, Drew, trying new things and not being afraid of them. But I just love when you crawl into our laps at the end of the day, after you've worn both of us ragged, and snuggle... no more running around... no more independence. It is the most powerful feeling that you trust your Dad and I to snuggle up and fall asleep... Or like the other night where I fell asleep next to you at 7:30... But of course we'll never post the photo Daddy took of me because I don't want you to think I have 47 double chins and morph into something out of a horror film while I sleep.

Kissing Auntie Mern after she made your Cookie Monster cake.

I can't believe how much more I love you than the day you were born or even how much more than when you were six months old... My love for you, Little Guy, grows everyday and I am the most blessed mommy ever to have you. You have whittled your way into every nook and cranny of our hearts and we love you unconditionally.

You would use a fork... although grabbing off the island was easier. :)

You are, without a doubt, the highlight and the main story of our past year.

xoxo

Mommy