He's 1!

I can't believe how fast this last year has flown by! Although I probably woudn't have said that for the first couple of months Jack was around, but now he is 1! I remember thinking on my way to the hospital to have Jack, "what will life be like a year from now?" Well, now it's here and I can't believe all that has happened.

WHAT WE'VE SURVIVED:

- lots of sleepless nights

- being pooped, peed, and barfed on

- baby reflux

- breastfeeding and pumping

- surgery on your little eye, and your little something else

- lots of colds

- lots and lots of crying

- lots of owies, bumps, bruises, falling, and bleeding, already (What am I in for?)

- lots of fit throwing

- some teething

WHAT YOU'VE ACCOMPLISHED:

- Learning to rollover

- Learning to army crawl and crawl

- Learning to sit up

- Learning to stand up

- Learning to walk, but more like run

- Learning to make lots of noises and half words

- Learning to smile, laugh, and make funny faces

- Eating solid foods

- Drinking from a sippy cup and a straw

- Putting yourself to sleep

- Taking good naps

- Sleeping through the night

- Your first real kiss, with Elle on the front lawn

WHAT I'VE ACCOMPLISHED

- Feeling like a normal human being again

- Going out of the house with you without being so stressed out about your eating and sleeping schedule

- Not being such a germ-a-phobe (still am, just not as bad)

- Being okay with letting you cry it out

- Getting to sleep through the night

- Not feeling so sleep deprived

- Losing weight

- Not waking up at every little sound you make while you're sleeping anymore

- Loving someone else more than I ever knew was possible

WHO YOU ARE:

- Fiesty

- Tough

- Stubborn

- Funny

- Socialable

- Coordinated

- Playful

- Smart, so smart

- So adorably cute

- A flirt

THINGS YOU LIKE:

- Mommy, Daddy, Grandma, & Grandpa

- Talking to Computer grandma and grandpa on Skype

- What you like to eat changes all the time, depending on your mood

- You like to eat slow, really really slow

- Trevor (your big stuffed dog)

- Chuck, when he's not boxing your ears

- Opening drawers and cupboards, especially the ones you're not supposed to open

- Playing with any kitchen item, spatulas, measuring cups, the salad spinner, and pushing the buttons on the blender when grandma helps you

- Rough housing

- New places, "change of atmosphere"

- Going out to eat

- Lots of people, you love a party

- When daddy comes home from work

- Sticks, of any kind

- Muscling things around, moving things that are way way bigger than you

- Your blue blankie that you go to sleep with

It's amazing all the stuff that can happen in just one year. I can't believe I got through some of the stuff that we had to deal with, and I know that I couldn't have done anything good or bad without the love and support of my family, my amazing husband, my generous mom and dad.

Because of Jack I did a lot of things that I never thought I could or would, because I love him so much. I've wiped countless runny noses, and bottoms, with kleenex and wipes and yes even bare hands. I've been spit up on and barfed on and I was okay. I've loved Jack so much sometimes that I could eat him (literally) or squeeze squeeze squeeze him. His smile makes my heart melt, and his laugh makes the day worth waking up for. I feel so lucky to be able to be his mom, and when I think about that sometimes, and how long we waited for him, and that now he's here, I get a little misty. I can't even imagine life without Jack now, if he weren't here I don't think I could breath. Happy Birthday Bud! I can't wait to see what more years will bring.