twelve months

twelve whole months. three hundred and sixty five days of being alive. how crazy and totally awesome are you little man? today you turn one and it's been one heck of a roller coaster ride raising you. i still remember that night like it was yesterday. all those IV's, passing blood clots, and small contractions. it was a crazy night and you came into this world not letting anything hold you back. you fought quickly to get out the NICU. i think it's because you didn't want to listen to the loud beeping noises anymore. each month you grew and you continue to grow. how you went from a 3 pound peanut to a 21 pound solid baby. though being two months preemie, you aren't quite up to the development of your age in some parts. you are doing fantastic in our eyes. your personality is starting to show more and more. you know how to sign "hi/bye", "milk", "book", "dog", "eat", "more", "all done", "bath", and "again". you love to try pinching all the new finger foods we give you, concentrating so hard to bring it up to your mouth. still go crazy over milk and seeing your bottle. you want it now, or else the world is coming to an end. your walker is your best friend now that you know exactly how to move around it in. all the kitchen towels seem to disappear off the oven handle. you love your "raggy" any and all hand towels. putting them in your mouth and letting them hang like a dog would carrying it around. it's a must when naps and bedtime are needed. you have moved into all 12 month clothes and some 18 month stuff now. bring on that warm spring weather and hopefully you will be walking around in those numerous converses i bought you. you still adore your dog and love watching her outside. or being outside in general, just like you did when you were little. happy birthday little man. we love you so much and you make each day brighter than the next. here's to another year of growing stronger in so many different ways.

love you peanut.

always & forever,

mom