Dear Austin,

One year ago today, you were born and you changed my life forever.  This past year together, we went through a multitude of ups and downs.  It was a huge learning process, you trying to figure out how to cope, survive and communicate in this massive world, while your grandparents, Daddy and I were trying to figure out your every needs and wants.  Life will always have its ups and downs, you should remember that.

As of recently, you’ve really expanded your appetite.  You absolutely love eating noodles and meat and the reason you learned how to “sign for more” was for those amazing puffs that once you pop, you can’t stop.  You also have learned how to drink out of a straw cup, but you still prefer the bottle since it requires less work for you.  The cutest part is when you know your about to be fed, you open your mouth like a little birdie and reach your hand out to grab the bottle closer to you, then you stare into my eyes and turn me into mush.  You are able to stand and walk while holding on to something and we’ve even seen you stand by yourself for a few seconds at a time, so we believe that standing on your own and walking will be soon.  But we’ll always be here to hold your hand, you should remember that.

A few months ago, you would let anyone hold you, but lately you’ve developed some separation/stranger anxiety.  We believe it’s just a stage that you are going through because we know you truly love being around people.  It might just require a little more hand holding right now but we don’t want you to be afraid of meeting new people and trying new things.  Although, selfishly, it does feel good that you will keep crawling back to Mommy and Daddy.  We’ll always be here for you, you should remember that.

And though this is bittersweet for Mommy, you should be proud of yourself that you have now graduated from taking weekly/monthly lion mat and Mickey pictures.  Although, I wouldn’t put it past Mommy if she made you take some more of these from time to time.  😉  But here it is for you to see, your growth in the last year!!

When you were just a wee baby, you pretty much fit in the belly / white parts of the lion mat, and look at you now!  Your so tall your head and feet are hanging off!  And you’ll hardly even lay still for a picture anymore since you’d much rather be crawling and standing!

Here you are with your monthly sticky bellies to track your growth next to Mickey.

 You started off pretty similar in size to Mickey and look how much bigger you are now!

I love it when we can make you belly laugh and giggle.
I love when I can hold you like a baby and rock you to sleep.
I love it when you snore in your sleep.
I love seeing your faces as you try new foods.
I love your little toes and feet.
I love when you reach new milestones.
I love seeing the world through your eyes.
I love you, forever and always.

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY AUSTIN!

Love,
Mommy