one.

The number one seems so small, but today it's huge. One year ago you changed our lives in ways I could never imagine. I mean, I imagined them (for the most part), but had no idea how everything would play out in the real world. I had dreamt of being a mom since I can remember and along the way I always "knew" that I'd have a boy first. I didn't know who that boy would be, but I couldn't be happier that it's you! One year ago today, you entered the great big world as the most handsome newborn the universe can see.

Everyone would always tell me how fast the time goes, and when you have a baby you often find yourself telling everyone else the same because you now know exactly how it feels - to feel the first contractions and then you blink your eyes and you're holding your baby in the hospital. Okay, all jokes aside, the 25 hours of labor were complete and utter agony and I wish I could have blinked to get that part over with ;) But each time I blinked after that, something new happened too quickly and now I suddenly have a o-n-e year old. I'm telling you, time DOES FLY. I don't even know what that means, but it does.

Bringing you home was terrifying. It was New Years Day, freezing cold, and we were certain that we had no idea what we were doing. All we could do was the best we knew how (and no book will ever teach you how to be a good parent.) We fed you, changed your bum, changed your clothes, swaddled you, un-swaddled you, rocked you, shushed you, swung you, put you down, picked you up, held you - but most importantly we loved you more than we ever thought one could possibly love another. The first three months were terrifying and brutal in a lot of ways, but we still cherished every moment (minus your "witching" hours...) watching you grow, smile, and learn how to live "on the outside".

For the first 3 months, you mostly slept on top of me and/or in bed with me, and it took you a little while to figure out how to use your paci so you struggled a bit being soothed, but as long as you ate, pooped, and someone was holding you, you were pretty great for the most part ;) You rolled over both ways by 3 months and at that point we knew you were over being a baby and ready to be a big boy (I wasn't ready for that, though).

The next few months got a little easier once we got into the swing of things. You started smiling and developing your little sweet-but-fresh personality. You were holding your head up, rolling all around and giggling at Dad and the doggie. You fell in love with the doggie pretty much the day you came home, but the older you got the more you loved to laugh at her. By 4 months your signature pout starting turning into a smile and by 5 months you really found your feet!

Being nude was (and still is) your favorite thing (aside from bouncing any and everywhere), and you absolutely love the bath! We tried transitioning you to your crib at 4 months with your SnuggleMe, but... you weren't quite having that. You would sleep a few hours in your crib and then come into bed with mom and dad (but we loved every second). We still let you nap with us in bed whenever we get the chance.

Months 7-9 were some of my favorites (not that I can really choose) because it was during this time I watched you become more you. You started sleeping full nights in your crib, sitting up, crawling, eating real food, blabbering "words" and communicating in your own sweet way. You started saying "mama" and "dada" and it was right around this time your hair really started coming in and it made you look like such a big boy! Dad got you a "Corvette" walker and you absolutely love walking all over the house in it! You hopped in your bouncer for the majority of your life, but you've since outgrown it so Santa brought you a new trampoline!

You really became a BOY when you turned 10 months old. You learned how to clap and started standing up on your own. You're now a champion at sleeping in your crib and will usually sleep 12-13 hours at a time. You love to eat all sorts of "big boy" food like puffs, yogurt bites, doughssants and anything else mommy or daddy is eating in front of you... like Reese's Peanut Butter Cups... You took your first steps just after you turned 11 months and love watching Sesame Street (Elmo). You are learning all kinds of new sounds and became an expert (seemingly overnight) at drinking from a straw - most likely thanks to Daddy's iced coffees.

This year you also got to experience your first Halloween and your first Christmas, too! And even though we just celebrated your birthday a few weeks ago, today is your real big day and you, my love, are officially ONE. You're a big boy, but you're still my little baby. You finally have 2 teeth (both within the last 2 weeks) and you're so close to walking! Daddy and I both love you more than these silly words can ever explain and you'll probably never see this anyways... but in case you do, I LOVE YOU. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUBBA.