letters to rawley: one year old

my mr. boy,

today you are one.  i can't believe i'm saying you are one already.  you have given me the best year of my life.  i know that sounds so cliche and it probably is, but it's SO true.  how did i ever deserve this sweet, perfect baby boy that was given to me one year ago today?

i love how much of a sweet and funny little boy you are already.  you definitely have your daddy's personality (which i love) and your mamma's calm demeanor, you are a perfect mix of the both of us.  you love your sissy so much.  she wishes she can be with you all the time.  she loves you so much.  whenever the two of you together, it's like you have always known each other and see each other everyday.  it's like you two were meant to be brother and sister.  it makes daddy so sad you guys can't see each other everyday.

the way you love to snuggle me when you have your bottle or when you give me the hugest, sweetest little 5-toothed grin when i come and get you out of your crib after you sleep and wrap your little arms around my neck so tight just melts my heart every time.  i miss you when you sleep and sometimes daddy and i fight on who will be the one to greet your big grin and get you out of bed, but we both end up running in together and you absolutely love it.  you giggle and stand there while talking to us which we assume you are telling us all about your dreams you had during your hardcore sleeping session.

you love to sleep, you love to eat and you LOVE to eat more.  you have had an appetite of a teenage boy since you were about 8 months old.  you get so excited anytime you see your bottle or hear the microwave go off.  you know exactly what is about to happen whenever that beep goes off.  i still can't understand how you can eat the way you do, but still wind up being the tiny little guy that you are.  you are a tiny boy with a big appetite! 

you love your family and they love you back a million times more.  you are so lucky to have such a big family around you to share every milestone you will make in your life.  you are the first grandchild on mamma's side of the family and number nine on your daddy's side of the family.  it makes for endless days of fun playing with your cousins and i'm sure you guys will get caught up in all kinds of crazy trouble in the future.  it makes family gatherings that more special.

you made me a mamma and i am so thankful that you have come into my life.  i knew i would i love you, but i never knew how much i was capable of loving you as much as i do.  words will never, ever explain how much you mean to me and i hope that one day you will know how much i love you.  you are my mister boy, my little man and just the best little baby anyone could ever ask for.  i am the luckiest mamma in the whole world and i cannot wait to see your next year and every year after that unfold right before my eyes.  happy first birthday my little boy, mamma loves you so very much!

this is our last picture together with you as a baby.  mamma turned 32 on this day and you will be one the very next day!  it makes for a fun couple of days with lots of celebrating and cake!

love,
your mamma