How has it already been a year? People always said that time flies when you have a kid. I now know what they mean! I always looked at a one year old and thought that was so far away from Nathan's age. Now here we are. Even as he is wailing in his crib, now fighting his nap, after a big breakfast date with his daddy, I think about what we were doing this time last year.
After waiting for two extra weeks to make his debut, Nathan was finally born via an emergency c-section at 4:38 am after what seemed like an eternal labor. About now I was drugged up on pain meds, my parents were excitedly whispering and fussing over Nathan as I drifted in and out of sleep, David was being amazing making sure Nathan and I were doing well, even though he hadn't slept in 24 hours either. We spent the rest of the day just recovering and snuggling with our new precious, healthy, beautiful baby boy.
Nathan, buddy, we have loved every second of this year with you. We have loved watching you grow and explore. You are so curious, and oh so busy! I love watching the little wheels turning in your head as you figure out the world around you. You were in a hurry to roll and scoot, and then stand and furniture surf, and crawl, but only just yesterday took your first steps! You are all about efficiency and how quickly you can get somewhere to check out something that piques your interest. We are always so amazed at your adorable smile and how quick you are to smile at everyone. You are such a happy little boy. We praise God for this daily! Even on days where I am struggling with impatience or with figuring out this whole "mom" thing, you look at me, smile your huge smile, and suddenly, my day gets a whole lot brighter. We pray, buddy, that you never lose your joyful spirit but that as you get older you find the source of your joy in Christ. We pray you never lose your love for others but that your first love is your Savior.
Other things you love are pushing things. Anything! Especially strollers, but really, anything that can physically move. Banging, toys, pushing buttons, playing with anything electronic when Mama and Daddy aren't watching, pulling everything out of the kitchen drawers, playing in the driver's seat of the car with Daddy, and above all, playing outside (ideally at the beach or pool) and pushing your walker along the sidewalks. These are some of your favorite things right now. You've lived in two states so far in your little life and visited 11 states. Such a little traveler!
We are so grateful for God's blessing to us by giving us you. You made this day the best day of our lives a year ago and every day since. We were overwhelmed with emotion when we heard your first cry in the operating room and with love when we first set eyes on you and snuggled for the first time there on the operating table.
We love you fiercely, little man, and we always will. But Jesus loves you even more than Mama or Daddy, if you can believe that! He tells you that in Isaiah 43:4 "...you are precious and honored in my sight...and I love you." We pray that you will never know a time that you don't know Him and abide in His love and that you will seek His face always. You have changed our lives forever, sweet boy, and we wouldn't trade it for anything. Happy birthday!!
