To Christopher, on your First Birthday

I so worried before you were born. It overtook the excitement. I was afraid of your birth, afraid of having two children. I dreaded getting no sleep, and walking the halls with a tiny, crying baby. Plus, Ashlyn was a good baby, and I surely wouldn't get TWO good babies. I focused on the negative parts of a newborn, none of the good, and I was sure that there would be more bad this time around. And, then you were born

January 3, 2008

and I held you close. You were perfect. And, I got less sleep, but it wasn't terrible. And, I don't remember you ever being inconsolable. And, your daddy was home. I didn't even realize what a HUGE difference that would make.

February 2008

March 2008

April 2008

You were really such a good baby that we had to do a little history rewrite. Now, Ashlyn's newborn stage seemed really rough in comparison. Even still, you rarely cry, only when your needs are not being met. As a little guy, you were happy to just sit and watch. You slept so much that I asked at one of your early doctor's appointments if there could be something wrong.

May 2008

June 2008

I've kind of been surprised in the past couple of months at the HUGE changes. No longer do you want to just sit there. I am constantly going after you, cleaning up after your path of destruction. I expect that the better you can walk, the more that will be. You aren't afraid of anything, and will crawl all the way up the stairs if we let our guard down for a moment. And, apparently, you have learned that this is a LOUD household. You now have a very high-pitched scream that you use when playing, and when you want more food. We are working a bit on sign language to help you communicate.

July 2008

August 2008

September 2008

You LOVE your sister, and she adores you as well. I hope this will continue, and not be overshadowed by sibling rivalry. As I write this, the two of you are crawling around on the floor together. You aren't incredibly verbal yet, but know "da-da" and "ma-ma." You've recently become attached to your crocheted blankets. Fortunately, you don't care which one at this point, because I don't know how long they will last if you start dragging them around the house.

October 2008

I can hardly believe now that I was so worried. It's easy to say now that I know YOU.

November 2008


Happy Birthday, little guy!

December 2008

Love,
Mama