Dear K-Man

One year ago I was desperate for your arrival after an extended bout of bed rest. It seems after all the fuss trying to keep you inside, you finally got the message. In a few days you will be one, and I can honestly say that we have had a fantastic year together.

Things are so different with you than they were with your sister. You are much more "all about mom" than Sophie ever was. If I am in the room then you have eyes for no one else. You are less interested in eating and more interested in nursing. You also have way more teeth than Sophie had, making the previous statement.... interesting. You sleep at night better, nap worse and are all around a complete individual. In fact, just about the only thing you have in common with your sister is that you are each others best friends. You truly adore one another and if you two grow up to be even a fraction as close as you are now, then you will be best friends for life.

I think right now one of my favorite things is your index finger. Where Sophie learned to sign to communicate, you shun the signs for an imperious point of one chubby finger. It works. You've always done things your own way. You crawled before you sat on your own and I think you are waiting until you can run before you stand on your own or walk. You don't give a fig for what we think you should be doing, it's your way or the highway. I guess in that respect you are a bit like Sos. Mostly what strikes me about you is how easily you laugh and smile. You spread joy just by being in the room. You are already a funny kid and it shows.

One day I want you to look back and be able to know how proud I am of you... even now. I know that things have been much different for you than they were for your sister since she is still so needy herself. You haven't had the same one on one time that she got, you haven't got pictures in your baby book yet, but you have a special place carved out of my heart. There are things that only you do that make you so awesome. I love how you crinkle up your nose to laugh. I love how you randomly snort when you are excited. I love how you are forever climbing into places where you should get stuck, but instead of getting frustrated you just get yourself un-stuck. I love how you hesitate before you let go of my finger to try to walk. I love how you can't walk because you are so busy trying to run. You are so fun.

In a few days you will be one. Wow. I can't wait to see what you do next. I want you to know that your dad and I are doing the best that we can. I know that we will screw up plenty in the year to come, but remember that we are only bumbling along trying to do what we think is best for you. Know that we pray every night that you will grow up to be a strong man of God, on fire for the Lord and full of wisdom. We are so grateful that we get to be your mom and dad.

Happy birthday, big boy. We love you so much.

Love,

Momma and Daddy