a letter

dear luke,

next week is your first birthday. YOUR VERY FIRST ONE! i'm so happy to have you as my little boy.  i've been reflecting back to the feelings i had a year ago at this very moment.  i wondered lots of mommy thoughts. i wondered what you would look like, how you would sleep, how much you would weigh, what your personality would be like, what would you be "in to", what would your first word be, would you like your stroller, how would you do travelling, and how much could i love you?.

i love you more than i thought i could. we've experienced a lot together this first year.  most of which have been exciting and fun! some stressful and sad, but i don't care {and i don't think you mind either} because we are together.  you are MY little boy. MY little stinks. MY little luke.

you are now starting to show more of your personality each and every day and i'm not sure how that is possible.  you are a very social and funny little boy.  no matter where we are at {costco, macey's, dollar store, church} you have to find someone to say hi to.  i admire that. everyone {me especially} needs to be more like that.

you love to wrestle. i think that is because you are all boy {and very solid...VERY SOLID}.  your dad and i toss you around the couch and floor and you just eat it up.  laughing to your hearts content.  its small moments like these that i feel so blessed to be a mom. your mom.

"slide" is your latest and greatest word and i'm not surprised.  you LOVE being outside and you are pretty daring.  i think you have a lot of your daddy in you.  while other kids {mainly girls}at the playground are contemplating going down you have crawled up the stairs and down the slide a couple of times.  no assistance from mom or dad on the slide, it just isn't fun for you that way.  independence is just in your genes.

i just want you to know that i waited a "long time" {some mom and dads have to wait longer} to get you.  you were totally worth the wait.  you are my little boy and i love you so much.  you came at the perfect time.

so here we are approaching the toddler stage.  i'm excited for the next year with you.  i'm already planning field trips for the winter time because i know you {and me} will go nuts staying home in the cold weather. i just hope you learn to walk before the snow comes cause it will be cold on those little chubby hands of yours.

i just want to you to never EVER forget that your mom loves you. i will always be there for you. i will laugh with you. i will cry with you. i will be sad with you. i will be mad at you {it is inevitable... you will be a teenager someday and 3 yrs old sooner}. but always remember at the end of the day I LOVE YOU.

love you always.
mom