Happy Birthday, Jack!

On the night you were born,

the moon smiled with such wonder

that the stars peeked in to see you

and the night wind whispered,

"Life will never be the same."

Because there had never been anyone like you...

ever in the world.

Today my sweet, cuddly, rambunctious, curious, strong willed, and (unarguably) adorable baby boy turns ONE! My heart is so full that I feel as though it might burst. I am so in love with this most perfect being that God blessed me with.  

So enchanted with you were the wind and the rain 

that they whispered the sound of your wonderful name.

It sailed through the farmland high on the breeze...

over the ocean... and through the trees... 

Until everyone heard it and everyone knew

of the one and only ever you.

Jack, this past year has been such a whirlwind! I feel as though I've blinked and you became a toddler! I love watching you grow and seeing you learn and discover each and every day, yet a part of me just wants to bottle you up and keep you from growing any more! Each and every milestone you hit has been bittersweet for me. I can't help but be your biggest cheerleader at each and every step, but your growing independence leaves a lump in my throat!

Not once had there been such eyes, such a nose,

such silly, wiggly, wonderful toes.

But I have so thoroughly enjoyed each and every stage we've been through together so far! I marvel at how the simplest things bring so much wonder to your eyes, like the leaves on the ground and the rocks in the driveway. And I can't help but smile in amazement when you laugh hysterically at the silliest things, like Huckleberry eating the food you throw on the floor or daddy flipping you upside down. Seeing the world anew from your eyes has been such a pleasure. 

When the polar bears heard, they danced until dawn.

From far away places, the geese flew home.

The moon stayed up until morning next day.

And none of the ladybugs flew away.

From the beginning I knew you were one strong willed little man! Man, I never knew it was possible to break a sweat changing a baby's diaper! And naps... definitely not your forte! But you are so undeniably sweet at the same time. I love that at one year old you still fall asleep snuggled up to me in the rocking chair, stroking my hair. You are a cuddle bug and I am so grateful for that.

So whenever you doubt just how special you are

and wonder who loves you, how much and how far,

listen for geese honking high in the sky.

(They're singing a song to remember you by.)

Or notice the bears asleep at the zoo.

(It's because they've been dancing all night for you!)

Or drift off to sleep to the sound of the wind.

(Listen closely... it's whispering your name again!)

I love when you stand up in the tub and lean over just to give me a big kiss! I love that you use your Ikea fort as a hamster ball (although at first it scared me to death!). I love that you love to make others laugh. Anything you do that entices a laugh from me or your dad is sure to be done over, and over, and over again. I love how you are so easy to make laugh in return! I love how you sit on the floor flipping through your books and "reading" aloud every morning. I love your curiosity and adventurousness even though it often leads to a battle of the wills between me and you.    

If the moon stays up until morning one day,
or a ladybug lands and decides to stay,
or a little bird sits at your window awhile,
it's because they're all hoping to see you smile...

I just love you so much, baby bear! I honestly never knew I had the capacity to love another the way I l love you and I thank God every day for allowing me to be your momma and experience this depth of love. 

For never before in story or rhyme
(not even once upon a time)
has the world ever known a you, my friend,
and it never will, not ever again...

I want you to know how much joy you have brought your dad and me. I'm sure I will never tell you enough. You've changed us both for the better and I'm so excited to see the three of us grow together and continue to live life side by side. I am so proud of you, so grateful for you, and so excited to continue to see you grow day by day.  

Happy Birthday, Jack Jack!

You are so, so loved!

Heaven blew every trumpet and played every horn
on the wonderful, marvelous night you were born.
                                                                      - Nancy Tillman