A Letter to my Son on his First Birthday

Dearest Liam-

It’s hard to believe it was a year ago today that you joined us in this world, but I guess that’s what they all say. In a way, it seems like a lifetime ago. Not only because we lived such a different life a year ago, but also because I really can’t imagine a time when you weren't in our lives. Liam if there is one thing I can say about you, son, it’s that you bring such JOY into my life. Into everyone’s life, really, as you don’t hesitate to smile at any person you might see.

But, let’s start at the beginning. You also had a sort of traumatic entrance into this world- taking after your brother I guess? However, with you my dear, when you were born they quickly whisked you away to the nursery to get you breathing normally. I sent Dad with you and sat alone in my hospital bed and prayed and prayed that you would be brought back to me healthy and quickly. You were only gone for an hour or so, but it felt like an eternity. When you came back, pink and perfect, I was so happy and felt so blessed. Prayers answered.

From the beginning you have been a happy baby. Daddy and I used to SWEAR that you were smiling in reaction to something we did as early as when you were two weeks old. Knowing you like I do now, I believe we were right. You are so full of smiles and have gone from gazing up at me with a toothless grin at two months old to running to me with those two front teeth, smiling wildly at me at one year old. Everywhere we go people tell me how cute you are when you give them one of your million dollar grins. It makes me so proud and so grateful that I get to be the recipient of most of those smiles. It’s a feeling I feel often when I spend time with you- grateful. So grateful that you are here with us, so grateful that I was blessed with another healthy boy, so grateful to be able to spend so much time with you, not missing a moment of your first year.

Liam at the ripe old age of one, your loves in life are your family, music, animals and most importantly, your bear. Your brown bear, also known as our third child, goes everywhere with you. You suck on the arm of bear like it’s a pacifier (and if we’re being honest here, though I think it’s cute, it grosses me out a little). We take bear everywhere and you coo whenever you see him. I’m fairly sure you like him more than me;). You like to hear music and you bounce up and down “dancing” to it. You LOVE to see dogs and whenever we go outside in the back you immediately look to the neighbor’s deck to see if the dog is out. If it is you run to me with your arms up “begging” me to take you to see the dog. When you see your brother for the first time in the morning you clap and get so excited, like the greatest thing that’s ever happened to you is him waking up. And I can’t lie; one of MY favorite things in the world is when you toddle towards me, giant grin on your face, arms in the air saying “ahhhhh,” which is the little sound you make for the things you love. I never get tired of it.

Little Liam how is it possible for me to be so in love with you? I am so grateful that I get to be your mommy and I take that job seriously. Thank you, thank you, thank you little boy for making my world a better place. I look forward to experience what the next year will bring for you and I and I look forward to seeing that big smile you are so generous with.

I love you Liam.

Love, Mommy