Happy Birthday to My Sweet, Sweet Boy!

Dear Griffin,

I sit here tonight thinking back to exactly a year ago. Your Daddy, Nolan, and I, along with both sets of grandparents, went out to dinner to celebrate your upcoming arrival the next day. We all were so excited to meet you, but at the same time we wondered what you would be like and how you would fit into our family. What I do not think we realized at the time was that you were the missing puzzle piece. Your arrival completed our family and we cannot imagine our lives without you.

The milestone of a first birthday is to be celebrated, but I will be honest, I am sad. I have so loved this first year with you and my heart hurts as I think about it being over. Although you are my second child, in so many ways, you are so different. I have loved getting to know you. I have so many special memories and experiences with you that it would take forever to recount them all.

I do want you to know that you gave me a very special gift this year. You gave me the gift of being a laid back and happy baby! You see I did not have this experience with your brother. He was very fussy and was unconsolable for the first four months of his life. Although it seems hard to think of Nolan like that now, trust me when I say it is true! You on the other hand have always loved to be held and cuddled. There is usually a reason why you cry. I can soothe you just by picking you up. To you it may not sound like a big deal, but for me, it is one of the greatest feelings a mother can experience. Thank you for your wonderfully sweet personality from the day your were born.

Today I rocked you to sleep at nap time. You held onto your blankie as you slept on my chest. I could not stop looking at you. You are so beautiful and perfect. I had a hard time letting go of you today to put you in your crib. I just wanted to hold on a little longer. I wanted to cherish that special moment because I have learned, time is gone in a blink of an eye. Although I am very sad to let go of my baby, I know wonderful and great thing lie ahead for you. I cannot wait to see you grow and flourish.

Thank you for such a wonderful and special first year. Thank you for completing our family and bringing us such joy and happiness. We hope this next year is a great as the first.

So Happy, Happy Birthday to you Griffin (or also known as Little Little Man, G, Chunky Monkey, and Griffie Bear)! You are loved to the moon and back!

Love,

Mommy (and Daddy and Nolan)