On the Eve of a First Birthday...

3 months old

Dearest Ethan:

As I sit here on the evening before your first birthday, I am vividly remembering last year when we were about to meet you.

For 9 whole months we dreamt about you -- who you would be, what you would be like, how you would fit into our family. There is no doubt that you were a surprise addition for us. We'd been hoping to meet you some five years earlier. But God works in surprises, doesn't He? And His surprises are always blessings in disguise.

You are definitely a blessing to us, my little baby boy. A blessing of joy and youth and all that is fun. Life is so new and exciting to you. And that's a great reminder to us "oldies."

We loved you from the moment we saw you. And that love just grows and grows...just like you. But stay small a little bit longer for us...please? Don't push away too quickly. We'll be sure to give you the room to sprout your wings and fly -- just as we have your older sister and brother. But, just like them, remember where your first nest was and return to it often. Daddy and I will always make sure there's room for you.

Happy Happy 1st birthday, my sweet, awesome baby.

Love,
Mommy

11 months 30 days old