Dear Jay Bird,

This year has been quite the adventure and I can’t even begin to describe what it has been like for me and your Daddy. A year ago I was wondering when you would come, what you would look like and who you would be like. Little did I know that I could have never dreamt up how wonderful you would be…

You turned my life upside down the moment they placed you in my arms at the hospital. You had my nose and your Daddy’s eyes and made the sweetest little pterodactyl sounds around; it was music to my ears. I wanted to hold you and cuddle you and never put you down but we had a revolving door of visitors so I had to share. You are one very loved little boy with a whole mess of admirers and you never fail to put on a good show for them.

You make me smile with everything that you do and as I sit here surrounded by your toys with you napping in the next room I find myself at a loss for words. I am sure that anything I say cannot possibly do you justice. You are amazing. You are kind and gentle, you are loud and boisterous but so shy at the same time, you are a thinker and analyze everything, you are cautious and playful all at once. You love to play on your own, dance to music, have stories read to you. You love playing in the tub at bath time, to go outside and watch for birds and airplanes, you love your animals and light up every time time they enter the room. You love peek-a-boo and hide behind everything you can find; even a string or the lace of a shoe. It is such a delight to see your huge smile and your face light up as you hear Daddy and me wondering aloud where you could be. Your endless curiosity is amazing! You are constantly pointing at things and showing us stuff. I am going to miss your “ooh” face terribly when you are able to talk… I love when your eyes light up when you get excited; your whole face shows your joy. I love the way you rest your head on my shoulder when someone you don’t know talks to you, when you snuggle into me when I feed you or when you are drinking your juice before nap time and the way you softly rub your feet together without even knowing that you are doing it- you get that from me by the way… I love the way you rush to the door every evening when Daddy gets home; somedays your little arms can’t keep up with just how fast you would like to go and you tumble over yourself. It is amazing to watch the two of you play; sometimes I find myself just staring you both wondering how I got to be so lucky. I wish I could bottle up your excitement, curiosity and the sound of your laugh. How wonderful it would be to freeze time and for you to be my little baby forever. And while I will admit that I am sad to see this year go, it is so easy to want you to stay this way forever, I can’t wait to see all the great things that are yet to come.

I can’t wait to see the silly things you’ll do, hear the silly things you’ll say or watch you grow into the sweet little boy that you are going to be. I can’t wait to hear you say Momma intentionally or for you to walk to me and that is just the beginning. There are endless possibilities for the things that you can and will accomplish, the sky’s the limit little boy; I hope you constantly remember to reach high. Know that Daddy and I are so very, very proud of you and feel so blessed that you are taking us on this journey with you.

I love you, sweet boy. Happy Birthday!

Love,

Momma