I am (so very) thankful for my baby.

I struggle writing a tribute to Simon on his first birthday. I've started out several times and keep backspacing until I am back to square one. Yesterday I took some time and wrote him a handwritten letter for his baby book and I think that will be enough. But he should definitely be added to the list of things I am thankful for.

I prayed and wished and hoped for this baby for a long time. When he came, I had a hard time believing that he was real, that he was mine. All I wanted was a baby, and I got the cutest one on the planet. He is such a darling little boy. He loves to eat, sleep, dance, wrestle, throw food, be naked, jump on the trampoline with his brothers, give hugs, make messes and splash in the bath tub. He is a very vocal one-year-old and says several words (mom, dad, ben "bob", luke "lu", zack "da", bye-bye, all done, uh-oh, bottle, no no!, banana "nanana", nigh-nigh, and bath "bat". His favorite thing in the world is our little red wagon and he scoots it everywhere. If you ask him if he wants a ride in the wagon, he knows exactly what you're talking about and pounds on the garage door. He is a tough boy and knows how to play rough. He chases the vacuum around like it's a puppy. He also loves the hair dryer and begs me to blow it in his direction-- and I always will because I love to see his hair fly like a dandelion in the wind. He is mostly happy except when he's crying or screaming or whining. He is such a cute little mobile man... sometimes even running with scissors!


For his first birthday, he got a BIG box of diapers and a BIG box of wipes. I didn't give my other babies such gifts on their first birthday, but none of my other babies pooped like Simon does... averaging 5-6 per day. I told him that if he stops pooping (not altogether, but less often) next year I might buy him a toy. His older brothers gave him lots of homemade cards and sprayed him with silly string on the trampoline. He thought it was the coolest birthday ever.