Dear Benjamin,
My feisty, adorable, firecracker of a baby Ben. Goodness you are cute… you are so cute. And you are ONE! Two months ago, we celebrated your first birthday and while I would think this realization would devastate me and shrink me back into a “my baby isn’t a baby any more” mommy pity party, I think I really love this stage on you. Of course, I have loved every stage along the way – you fitting in just one of my arms as I carried you around the house those first few weeks, making eye contact with me and smiling for the first time, learning to sit up and eventually waddle around the room, when you first started to vocalize sounds and you sounded more like Donald Duck than an actual baby (really, I have video to prove this to you) – all very fun stages this past year. But this new stage of being one seems extra fun.
In this new stage of one, you are sweeter than ever. You love to run from one side of the room to the other again and again, collapsing into my arms in a fit of laugher. Your waddle run is unbelievably adorable. You give the best open mouth kisses whenever I ask or need one, complete with sound effects! You adore your big brother and your face lights up when he gets home from school. You are his faithful little companion and would follow him anywhere. You even grieve with him when he is in trouble by going to him and sitting by his side whenever he gets put into time out. He appreciates your affections and feels equally the same about you.
And in this new stage of one you are equally feisty. You do love throwing each and every bit of food off of your high chair onto the floor. Each. And. Every. Piece. You aren’t the best listener and tend to run really fast in the opposite direction when I call you. And I can’t forget to mention your strong disdain for diaper changes. It amazes me how many limbs of mine are required to get this job accomplished. But here is the thing sweet boy. Your feisty spirit means that you will grow to be strong and passionate. I pray that your bold personality translates to confidence and will help you to never back down to difficult things as you grow. I can’t wait to watch your personality unfold more. And I will do everything in my abilities as your mom to teach you to be confident in who God made you be and will pray that your sweet spirit continues to shine through just as much as your strong willed one.
This morning, when you woke from your nap, you decided you would rather play peekaboo in your crib with me than allow me to pick you up. And so, I hopped over the rail and jumped in your bed along side you. You giggled with delight and for those 10 minutes, I forgot about all of the tasks that were knocking at my door for the day. You, little boy, help me remember to stop and enjoy these little moments, these special moments. Of all of the things I have accomplished in my life, nothing is quite as rewarding as being momma to you and your brother. Of all of the places I have been, nothing compares to my time spent with you. Of all of the friends I have been blessed to have over the years, your company is like none other. You bring a joy that words can’t explain. You are a gift, straight from God, to me and your dad. We are crazy about you. Completely, over the moon, crazy about you. Loving you helps me understand how much God loves us. I am thankful for all of the lessons being your mom has brought and I look forward to all that I will get to teach you as I watch you grow into the incredible man that God created you to be!
Just look at how cute you are…. oh your expressions…
With all of my love,
Mommy
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