Brent and I walked into Luke's room this morning singing "Happy Birthday" at 6:03am (his birth minute!)-- here is the big boy we saw!
Just 365 days ago, Mommy and Daddy were rushing to the hospital, so excited to meet you. You decided to make your appearance right as Mommy laid down for the night. I got up, took a shower, put on makeup and then Daddy drove us across town at midnight. I didn't want to go in the hospital without him, so he parked the car while I held onto a light post by the hospital door, having contractions. We knew this drill well... you had tried to come 4 other times before now! But this time was different-- full of anticipation, now we would finally meet you!
Your were perfect-- a full head of hair, a button nose and soft, soft skin. Your Grandparents rushed in town to meet you and just adored you. We all thanked God when the Dr. told us you were healthy and no one could take their eyes off of you!
Now, one year later, we know you and your are a joy to our lives! We are so thankful for this past year and thankful for the years to come... they will all be special, but we will never forget this one! Some of our favorite moments with you were:
-Your wonderful giggles at the "sock thief"
-The first time you rolled over on your own- we cheered and cheered
-Your first Astros game
-You had so many ear infections when you were a baby, one night we were sitting in the ER, just you me and Daddy, waiting for the Dr.- you had not slept all night and you finally fell asleep in my arms as Daddy and I watched a show on the discovery channel about blind squids in the ocean.
-You have just started humming when you are eating food you like- especially with pop tarts, grated cheese, and Chick Fil A
-You have always wanted to eat on your terms, so our first attempt at solids didn't go well. We waited a few weeks, tried again, and you were hooked! Oh how happy it made me to fill your belly with substance!
-Your happy face as you crawl across the room to be hugged when we pick you up at day care
-Naked Baby Dance
-Pointing at birds and airplanes and saying "da"
-Chasing you around the house on all fours- you laugh when we get close and slow down for us to "get" you
Here are some of the things you have been up to this past month:
Throwing your ball:
"on" "off", "on" "off". Thankfully, you have not found the hot water side yet.
"Reading" The Economist:
Watching the Blue Angles fly over our house during the Air Show (Daddy was holding your ears because the loud noises were scary):
You LOVE all trucks, buses, cars, airplanes...
Playing in boxes:
Wearing Daddy's hat:
*SAPPY MOM ALERT*
I read a parenting book that said your whole life as a parent is spent preparing your child to be independent and giving him all of the tools to be successful without you. This last month, we have seen some independence and I have had to consciously LET Luke push away. Oh, my achy breaky heart! For example in the morning, after his bottle, I usually pick him up and we walk to my room to tell Daddy good morning. One morning, Luke didn't want to be picked up and crawled all the way from his room to ours going full speed... I was cheering him on and so excited to see him race for Daddy, but a little sad I wasn't holding him close to see his face light up when he finally locked eyes on his Daddy! I think we have savored all of these moments as much as we could and now, we are thrilled Luke is exploring without us pushing it. I am excited that he is almost done with bottles so we don't have to wash them every night, but kind of sad he doesn't need me to hold them, or sippy cups, anymore. Thrilled to see him eat a piece of chicken off of his highchair tray (this truly is a victory!) because it is one less scoop of stinky liquid meat I have to shovel in his face acting like it is yummy! It's not. As proud as I am to see him succeed, understand and obey, it makes me wonder how much more excited God is when we, His children, do the same. How His heart must swell with joy when we run to Him after a long day or when we have integrity and tell the truth when no one else would know a lie. I also think about the times when Luke doesn't obey us-- the heaviness I feel must be so magnified when we disappoint God. The broken relationship where God just sits and waits until His children choose to turn from their sin and return to fellowship. I pray we do not have many of these moments, but I know we will. I just hope we choose to respond in a way that would build in Luke a foundation to succeed without us. Oh, my achy breaky heart.
Luke, your Daddy and I love you very much. Happy birthday, sweet, sweet boy.
