Peanut,
Wow. I can’t believe you’re a year old already. The time has really flown by.
You have been such a wonderful blessing in our lives. You are the most perfect, happy baby. Although it’s only your first birthday, we can’t remember what life was like before you came along.
You were born during the coldest week of 2014. (January 8th, 2014 at 1:05 AM weighing 8 pounds, 5 ounces and 21 inches long.) I remember your Dad and I being worried about that particular week and wondering if we were going to be able to keep you warm enough at home (our heating unit wasn’t working too well). Luckily enough, you came right in time – we spent that whole week in the hospital in a room that was a toasty 80 degrees. On the day we took you home, Dad went out to make sure the car was plenty warm enough for you and I dressed you in your camouflage outfit and set you in your car seat to buckle you up. You cried at first when I set you down, but you ended up loving riding in the car (you still do). Finally being able to take you home was so exciting, but also a little scary because we didn’t have the nurses and doctors right outside the door in case we needed them.
We had nothing to worry about. You were such an angel baby (still are). You have slept through the night since the day we brought you home from the hospital. Your Dad and I used to wake you up every three to four hours to eat because we thought we were supposed to. Family and friends all told us to “never wake a sleeping baby”, but we were too concerned about you not getting enough to eat. We wanted you to grow up big and strong! It wasn’t until your four week check-up appointment, when the doctor told us it was okay to let you sleep, that we actually let you sleep through the night. We kept you in our room for about eight months. You started out in a little sleep-rocker, but you got so big so fast that we eventually ended up putting a play pen in our room and you slept on my side of the bed. You were ready to be in your own room at a young age, but we weren’t ready to let you go yet. It wasn’t until you were about nine months old that we let you sleep in your room with a monitor. Dad and I were up all night watching over you on that one-inch monitor screen!
I remember in February of 2014, when you were just over a month old, the first time we took you on an outing (besides your doctor’s appointments). We went to lunch with Dad’s family. Your Dad and I were too worried about you getting sick from being out in the cold, so we kept you cuddled up at home. Everyone convinced me it was okay to bring you out really quick for lunch, so I dressed you warmly, packed your diaper bag, and headed out. You didn’t cry at all while we were out. You just sat in your car seat (propped up on the high chair) and took in the world around you. You were so observant (still are) and curious.
I stayed home with you until the end of March and then I had to return to work. Luckily, Nana was able to watch you. I knew that when I was away, you were with someone who was going to love and care for you ALMOST as much as I do. Getting you ready that morning and bringing you over to Nana’s house was tough. I didn’t want to leave you! I couldn’t wait to get off work that day and when I finally did, you gave me hundreds of kisses which made me feel all better.
Not only were you a happy baby, you were a smart baby (still are). You caught on to things so quickly. You knew quite a few words (and people) around six months of age. You learned tummy time, holding your head up, sitting up on your own, and walking around furniture really quickly. One thing you did NOT want to do was crawl on your hands and knees. You were easily gliding along the furniture before you started crawling. I thought for sure that you were going to be walking before crawling, but you proved me wrong. (I do think you will be walking any day now though.) You still amaze us with the new things you learn daily. You have brought a whole new meaning of happiness to our lives.
It feels kind of weird to write you this letter and know in the back of my mind that you’re one year old today. I remember so many specific things like they happened yesterday. Your first year went by too fast.
We love you so much Little Man! We are so grateful and feel so blessed that you were brought into our lives. I have truly enjoyed every single second we’ve spent with you, but I’m sad that time is flying by so quickly. We thank God for you every day.
Happy birthday Little Man!
Love always,
Mom & Dad
Runt's Pickins 
So beautiful! I love this so so so much.
Thank you. :]