Dear Collin, Happy Birthday. Love, Mommy

Dear Collin,

Tomorrow is your first birthday!  I cannot believe that my little itty bitty baby boy is one year old.  How did  this happen?  I am so blessed to be your mommy.  I thank God several times a day for choosing me, out of all the mommies in the world, to watch over you for Him.

This past year has been amazing, truly the best of my life.  We have been experienced so much together, and this is just the beginning...

• your amazing arrival
• getting to know you
• breastfeeding <3 <3
• experiencing all of your "firsts"
• seeing hubby become a daddy <3 <3
• your surgery at Wolfson :(
• your developing personality
• lots and lots of diapers
• your obsession with dog food & doggie doors
• flying together
• teething
• rocking you to sleep every night <3 <3
• big open-mouth slobbery kisses
• trying new foods
• your love of music
• becoming a stay-at-home-mom
• parks & swings
• wagon rides
• bathtime

You are such a sweet boy, always giving mommy and daddy lots of hugs and kisses.  I always heard the saying that "you'll never work a day in your life if you love what you do" but until I was able to become a stay-at-home-mom with you I really didn't understand that.  Every day is filled with endless playing, chores, cooking, cleaning, more playing...and I can't wait to get up each morning and do it all over again.

I pray that I will be the mommy that you deserve.  And most of all, the mommy that God wants me to be.  Please be patient with me because I know that I am not perfect, but also know that I try every day to be a better mommy than I was the day before.

No matter how many siblings you may or may not have as you get older, there is always something special about being the first.  No matter how old you are, you will always be my first little baby, my "baby bird", my "lovie", my "bugaboo", my "honey".

Little boy, I love you with all of my heart, my mind, and my soul.

Love always,

Mommy