Happy Birthday My Dearest

Isaiah, you are officially a year old.  Officially officially sometime this afternoon; it looks like I've already forgotten the exact time.  Probably because right then when they figured out what time it was, I was busy looking into your eyes.  At my new baby. 

You have grown quite a lot since that day.  Every day I think you can't get any cuter.  But you do every day after.  You're about to start walking & talking any day now.  You give high fives & kisses, and you love to dance.  When you're brothers & dad are playing, you forget about me.  Until you're hungry, I'm always your favorite then. 

Isaiah you will always be my baby no matter how fast or how big you grow.  No matter how much you defy me (like you're doing now learning about the word no & testing our consistency & resolve).  No matter how many times you wake at night (down to 1 for the past few weeks!).  And no matter how much you prefer the boys over me. 

I will always love you even if somehow one day you cease to be incredibly adorable.  Even when someone steals your heart away from mine.  Even when you travel far far away to follow your dreams. 

I wonder what your dreams will be.  Like mine?  Like your dad's?  I hope they are your own, and I hope you do follow them.  But I hope you will come back to visit often.  And then I hope you come back to take over the family business. 

I hope that the lessons you learn in life aren't too difficult & heartbreaking.  I hope that I am able to teach you not to avoid them but to learn from them.  I hope my life will be an example of how to live instead of how not to.  I hope that I can teach you how to love.  I hope that I am able to give you every opportunity you need & desire to be successful, but I also hope that I can teach you humility & grace.

I hope that I am able to cherish the moments I have with you instead of always worrying about your future.

I love you so so much Isaiah.  Happy First Birthday.