Dear C,

A year ago today you joined us. You made us into a family. You were the missing puzzle piece that I didn’t even realize was missing until you arrived. One year ago today brought you into our lives and time did not stand still for it. For weeks, I have been pondering what to write to you today, this big day in your life, that you will not remember, unless we help you. I want you to know your birth story. I want to tell you that the Sunday before your birth, saw your Daddy and me watching the Masters (and the clock). And what a Masters it was. My favorite golfer, Phil Mickelson, decided to win that Masters and cement in my mind why I love to watch him play! We hope, your Daddy and me, that you will also grow to love that sport as much as we do.

That Sunday seems so long ago and also like it was just an instant ago. I can still feel the doctor putting you on my belly so that your Daddy and I could finally finally say hello to you in person. Oh for so long we waited for that! The birth thing – it was not as hard as I worried about it and now looking back, I wonder why I worried so much on it. But C, you will soon learn, that is just my way.

That Sunday it was raining. I wanted to stick that in because I wanted you to know what it was doing the day you joined us. It was also, 4:12 in the morning. How funny we all thought it was that you joined us at 4:12 on 4/12. The doctor was amazing and was the one who pointed that out to us.

This year has seen so many changes in you. You are now standing by yourself and those first few tentatives steps have been happening around the house. We have seen you take 4 steps now, think about it, and plop down. I think you could be walking if it didn’t freak you out so much when you do it! But I love to watch the thought process as you decide which way to attempt something – walking vs. crawling. Right now, speed is your deciding factor so that sees you plop down and crawl to your goal.

You are still so busy and currently love your Weebles, Barnyard, and blocks. You also stand at your table non stop, just standing and playing. You have started to try to communicate with us. You like to let us know you like something by smiling pointing and a happy “dah” and your dislikes with yelling, screaming, and some more screaming. You love our brightly colored mixing bowls. You sit and play with them for long periods of time. Sometimes you mix, stir, and stack – all good skills that you are practicing!

You are still enjoying your foray into adult food – as a matter of fact – once you started you did not look back! You are on the last of your formula and will soon be fully on cows milk. This is exciting and bittersweet, as it is another sign of your growing up on me.

You may be growing up, but every once in a while I can sneak in a hug and definitely more kisses than you like. But know, this will happen for years to come! Well, as long as you’ll let me!

Each day sees you a bit more independent and my heart swells for you. This has been the best year and I know that the next year will bring you new challenges and new fun and I can’t wait to experience it with you! We love you so much – You stole our hearts one year ago today and again and again on a daily basis. Love, Mommy and Daddy