Happy Birthday Rory!

Dear Rory,

  I can't believe you did it- you turned one!  I keep asking myself how this is even possible because I can still remember this past year so vividly.  You weren't able to do much of anything except pout, make grumpy faces, and be the most amazing blessing Mommy and I have ever known.  I remember that first act of defiance on day 2 when Mama said latch on, eat and be merry.  You looked at her with those big blue eyes and said no thank you, I don't feel like conforming. 

  You can do so much now!  You walk (well you've been walking since 9 months you crazy monkey!)  all over the place!  You literally will boost yourself over me if I'm lying on the floor. You hate shoes but will carry them all around the house (so we are constantly searching for our one missing shoe).  You also have been known to step on Bella's tail and legs, but she doesn't care much because at dinner time you pay her back big time. 

You went from eating almost nothing solid to eating almost anything you can shovel into your face.  You really love bananas, yogurt, chicken, cheese, yogurt melts, puffs, and grapes!  I'd say you're a man after my own heart!  Although Mommy is very proud that you also will eat black bean burgers and eggplant without batting an eyelash. 

Another great thing about you is that you are downright hilarious!  You make the best faces and have to be the most expressive baby I've ever known!  I love the way you look at me and then break into the biggest grin. You will laugh and giggle at almost anything, slap your knees, pull food through your hair, grab a remote control and run away as fast as you can, laughing through all of it!  Your jovial personality makes everyone that meets you fall in love with you instantly!  I hope you never lose that amazing quality.  Your joy has made me a happier person!

One of my favorite things that you do is dance and sing your little heart out.   Mommy and I can tell you are worshiping the God who crafted you in his perfect image!  You will boogie all over the church and drop it like it's hot during praise and worship.  You lift those little hands to God as if you know exactly what you're supposed to do.   I'm positive you do.  We pray that you always give your praise to Him and keep Him first in your life! 

I could keep going and write about all of the little crazy things you have done and still do and how much I love each and every one of them but you're only one year old and we still have so many more years of chapters to write about.  I will end however saying that we still have to swaddle you in three blankets to get you to fall asleep.  I know!  It's insane.  Everyone thinks so.  Most of them don't say anything but I can see how they judge with a quick roll of the eye.  Honestly, I don't care if you still like being wrapped up tightly.  It's comfortable.  I get it.  It lets you know you're ready to sleep and you can calm down.  But, let's be honest- it's a pain in the butt.  You try wrapping and lifting this 20 pound sack of Rory with three different blankets.  It's kind of ridiculous.  My goal this year is to wean you off of the wraps and hopefully by the time you're 16 you'll be able to just get into your bed normally.  I can't deny though, that one of my favorite times of the day is when you are all wrapped up and we're sitting in your room in the rocking chair.  I'm singing you songs and you'll lay your head on my shoulder and start to fall asleep.  I can't describe the feeling I get when its just you and me but at the risk of sounding like a cheesy Tom Cruise movie, it completes me.   You are everything I've ever wanted and I love you so much!  Happy Birthday little man.