A Letter to my Son

Benjamin,

You are 1. A whole year old. You have now been in my life in some manner for over 20 months.

The day we found out we were going to be parents was magical. Then we found out you were a boy...even more magical. But nothing will ever top the day you came into our lives - Wednesday, March 10, 2010.

Since that day, your Daddy and I have made it our goal to be the best parents to you that we know how to be. We may not always live up to that ideal, but we definitely try. Every day is a new adventure with you - and just when we think we've got the routine down, you throw something new at us. You like to keep us on our toes. :)

So, you're a year old now. What are you like? Well...

• You've been eating table foods for half your life...and you eat like a professional. You're not overly messy - for the most part, it's all about getting the food from the tray to your mouth. The dogs sure wish you were messier.


• You started off a bit on the small side, but you've certainly caught up. At 6 months, you weighed 16 lbs. By 9 months, you were up to nearly 20 1/2 lbs. We'll find out on Monday what your stats are now, but I'm guessing you're 24-25 lbs by now. My growing boy!


• We're still nursing first thing in the morning and right before bed...but I think it's mostly for comfort now. You drink whole milk at daycare and water with meals and snacks.


• You're such a happy boy! Your smile lights up the room, and you aren't stingy with it either. And laughs come much more frequently now than they used to. Love them!


• You were quick to crawl, pull up and cruise the furniture, but you don't seem to want to move on to walking just yet. You have no problem walking around holding on to our hands, or even just a finger, and you can stand without support...but when it's time to move, it's back on your bottom and crawling away.


• You love to babble - Mama and Dada and gaaa and baa - that's the closest you've come to words yet.


• Only a couple of times have you waved goodbye...we're still working on that one.

Overall, though you have your moments (mostly when we have to tell you No), you are a sweet, fun, cuddly, active, inquisitive, interesting little boy. Watching you grow up is the most fun thing I've ever gotten to do - and I am excited for the new adventures the next year will bring.

All my love,

Mommy

My, how you've grown...