One Heck of a Year

Preston,

You are 12 months old! One whole year we have had you in our lives.

It's been the biggest, hardest, most challenging, most wonderful, most joyful year your parents have ever had and they wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. Today, the last day of January, it is sunny and 70 degrees. Very rare here in Memphis, but perfect for your first big birthday.

You grow smarter (and cuter) by the minute. Your mom and dad are always amazed at the things you do, and still, after a year, say "We can't believe he is ours." You are your parents (and grandparents) world, and life is so much brighter with you in it.

You went to school today and took cupcakes for your friends and teachers. They were all so excited and sang happy birthday to you! Mrs. Ophelia, your favorite teacher, couldn't wait to get her hands on you today.

As your looks and personality develop, you are looking more and more like your daddy. Your hair, your cheeks, your smile... you look so much like him. Even your profiles look similar. Mommy thinks that is great, because both of you are extremely handsome. Your dad always dreamed of having a little boy, and says all the time that everything about you is exactly what he has always wanted.

As far as personality goes, you are all mommy. While you have many redeeming qualities, you get easily frustrated when you can't figure something out quickly. You go at things full force, with energy and excitement. There is nothing calm or patient about you. Not yet at least. You are super independent and never want help learning things. You won't even let your mom and dad hold your hand to help you walk, not that you need it. You love to figure things out on your own, and when you do, you get a look of sheer and genuine joy on your face. You play hard, almost like you are doing work. It is very funny to watch. You are so busy, and always moving. Your mind is constantly going and thinking, and you have a very expressive little face. Your teachers at school say that you have a very big personality, and command a room when you are in it. There is an intensity in you that your parents adore, but are also a little afraid of.   ;)

You are clearly determining favorite things. Your mom's friend from college, Bev, gave you a beautiful blue blanket with your name on it. You sleep with it every night, and snuggle with it. You take naps with it when you are at home. You have three favorite books: Pat the Bunny by Dorothy Kunhardt (you can do the action on every page!), Oh My Oh My Oh Dinosaurs by Sandra Boynton (this is your #1 go-to), and DOG by Matthew Van Fleet (you LOVE to read this right before bed). You drag these books around and want us to read them to you over and over. You love to turn the pages, and smile and clap while we read them to you. For toys, you are especially loving dinosaurs and monster trucks. You also really like it when daddy stacks blocks up high, and then you run and knock them down. You laugh so hard your cheeks turn red!

Developmentally, you are walking and running like a pro. You eat like a champ, anything and everything. You transitioned to whole milk easily. You are still a good sleeper, although you might be moving from two naps to one nap pretty soon. You do so many things, it's hard to even list them all. You are beginning to copy your parents and teachers more, mostly in actions and sounds. Verbally, you are still working on it. You say a few things like "mama", "dada", "dog", and lots of different sounds, inflections, and tones. They just don't make any sense yet. You will pick up a book or talk on a cell phone, and jabber with inflection like you are actually having a conversation. It's hilarious! Your parents can't wait until real words start flowing. You pick up a cell phone and talk on it, and you pick up your hair brush and pretend to brush your hair. It's really amazing how you catch on so quickly.

Your mom and dad are throwing a party for you this weekend to celebrate your big birthday. They can hardly wait! Your big gift this year was a Radio Flyer red wagon.

You are everything, Preston. Your parents have never been closer because of you. Their lives have never been more full. Preston, you made us a family and we will love you always. :) Happy 1st Birthday, Mr. P!