A letter to Drew on his first birthday interspersed with cake smash pictures from Christmas Day.
When you were a little under two months old you started smiling at us and ohhh did I love that… You know, Baby, I like your smiles now even more because often they come with kisses (that I love even if you have Cookie Monster frosting all over your face) or it comes with a belly laugh…. There is nothing I love more than your giggles when Dad and I are tickling you or Daddy is chasing your around the kitchen and living room. It is addicting to listen to.
I love watching you eat. Its like what I imagine a pie eating contest would be: food every where, a happy person stuffing themselves and yelling out for more food. We try to give you healthy food (for the most part) but I do like to see you devour a cookie I’ve made or, even though I told him to stop, I liked seeing Daddy squirting whipped cream into your mouth last night and seeing you run after him for more.
I’ve loved watching you ease into being an expert walker, you definitely give me a run for my money, but its worth it to see such a little guy tottering around everywhere… Sometimes wobbling and falling like a little drunk. 🙂 And those stairs! You would think that it was Mount Everest the way you continually try to tackle them… and why are they such an enticing thing now that you can fly up them? Is it because I say “no stairs”? 🙂
You are so brave and independent, Drew, trying new things and not being afraid of them. But I just love when you crawl into our laps at the end of the day, after you’ve worn both of us ragged, and snuggle… no more running around… no more independence. It is the most powerful feeling that you trust your Dad and I to snuggle up and fall asleep… Or like the other night where I fell asleep next to you at 7:30… But of course we’ll never post the photo Daddy took of me because I don’t want you to think I have 47 double chins and morph into something out of a horror film while I sleep.
I can’t believe how much more I love you than the day you were born or even how much more than when you were six months old… My love for you, Little Guy, grows everyday and I am the most blessed mommy ever to have you. You have whittled your way into every nook and cranny of our hearts and we love you unconditionally.
You are, without a doubt, the highlight and the main story of our past year.
xoxo
Mommy
Hi Jen,
We haven’t met yet but I’m Mern’s Charlie’s, Aunt Patti. Mern turned me on to your blog and I check in from time to time.
Reading your wonderful description of Drew’s first birthday really sent me back in time.
I was young again and just as much in awe of my first son’s birth and the first year we spent together. You wrote so eloquently what I felt too on baby’s first birthday. You sent me searching for his baby book to read just what I wrote to my son.
I enjoyed so much reading your letter to your son and remembering how I felt the same way. My baby boy is 28 years old now. I can tell you that the deep love you feel for this child will never cease through all his years. A mother’s love is one of the strongest bonds we ever make.
What a beautiful post for Drew, Jen. Really wonderful stuff!!! What a blessing Drew is to our whole family and how amazingly flawless your transition to motherhood has appeared to me (I tell that to everyone when they ask about you and Drew.) And how much you made me laugh aloud with your comment aobut 47 chins or something… I think I need to see this photo!!! xoox
Hi Patricia! Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment! 🙂 It was great hearing from you. I’m sure my love for Drew will keep growing the same I’m sure your’s has for you now 28 year old. 🙂
Sissy, you definitely DO NOT need to see that photo. What are you trying to do, embaress me forever? And thank you for lying to me about the flawless transition. 🙂 xo