ONE

Dear Thomas,
Today is your first birthday.  I will try to not get sappy.  You have changed our world, and in so many wonderful ways.  I never imagined the first year would be full of so many challenges, and yet so easy...so exhausting, and yet so invigorating... so heart wrenching and unbelievably wonderful in so many ways...and SO. FULL. OF. LOVE.

You now weigh between 24 and 25 pounds.  We'll know for sure at your 12 month checkup.  You are crawling like crazy, can climb the stairs with ease, and QUICKLY, climb up on everything just as quickly, and you LOVE your dog, Mr. Beau.  You also love the cat-cat, or as you call her, 'dat dat.'  In addition to 'dat dat,' here are the rest of your words: mama, dada, drop (for Mr. Beau), cheese, juice, night night, and all done.  you are quite the talker.

Just like you've always been, you are shy at first, but once you warm up, normally within seconds, you are a complete ham.  You love attention, and you know, without a doubt, that most people think you're the cutest redheaded thing they've ever seen. 

You've really started pitching some top shelf, top of the line, crazy good tantrums these days, which I love, because it shows you have an independent spirit and a mind of your own. 

Your favorite toy is your musical table and your monkey that plays music.  You love to dance to any and all music.

Your favorite TV show (which we don't let you watch much, but let's be honest, in acts of desperation, it's just what the doctor ordered) is Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.  You're also crazy about Elmo.

Your smile lights up a room.

You have seven teeth.  Four up top, three below.

You don't really have a lovey.  I think that's okay.  You sort of halfway love your giraffe, halfway love your bear, and 100% love your paci, which now you only get to use at naps and at night. 

We haven't found much you won't eat, and this includes meatloaf, lasagna, spaghetti, chicken, pork, eggs, cooked spinach, mushrooms, onions, garlic, and anything else we throw at you.  That's awesome. 

You laugh often, talk often, hug often, kiss often, and squeal often.

When I think of how much I love you, my heart hurts.

Thank you for giving us the best year of our lives. 

We love you, sweet Tommy.
Love,
Mom & Dad