A letter to Owen

Dear Owen,

Wow, you are one year old today. Who would have known that you would change our lives so much in 12 short months. I remember holding you in my arms for the first time and thinking ... wow you are finally here and perfect in every way. You were a surprisingly 8 pounds 5.2 ounces and had a full head of dark brown hair. Daddy and I weren't sure what we were going to name you and when the nurse asked us, we looked at each other and looked at you and said Owen and all of the sudden you stopped crying ... it was fate you wanted to be our little O.


Over the past year you sure have given us a run for our money and constantly have us questioning if we will ever do this again. You were a very sleepy baby and ALWAYS fell asleep while eating. Daddy usually had to provide the assist while you were eating by tugging at your ears, or tickling your toes. You turned into a snacker and liked to eat every hour and finally gave up breastfeeding at 5 and a half months, but I continued to pump through your first birthday (you are one lucky baby!). You also have a hard time with solid foods because you don't know portion control and like to stuff your mouth until you gag, but we are working on that. You go through phases on how much food you like to eat and how much you like to drink but hopefully it will get easier. 


And sleeping ... you slept through the night for the first time on December 17th and have not done it since (and last night you decided to wake up EVERY hour ... uggg), but I will treasure those nights when you do decide that sleeping is a good thing! It has been a long year with little sleep and lots of waking up but at least you are a healthy little boy and that's all we can ask for.


Besides the eating and sleeping issues, you are one funny loving little boy. You love to flop on anything soft, think hanging upside down from your toes is hilarious, you love to read books and have books read to you, could watch Mickey Mouse for hours on end if we let you, you love to play with balls -- you can roll them and throw them, are really good at knowing what you are not suppose to get into and when I catch you you squeal in delight because you think it is so funny! You are my little troublemaker who is constantly striving to discover everything around you. You are very courious and smart and keep me on my toes daily. 


You are a Momma's boy at heart and shower me constantly with hugs, kisses, giggles, cuddles and wiggles. Every time I walk into a room you crawl over to me and give me a big hug. It melts my heart and something I will always treasure. The love you have for your doggie Lexi is also very special and warms my heart. You love her, follow her all around the house, steal her toys and bonies, take her to the park everyday and have just started to pet her. And you adore your daddy who constantly teaches you new tricks and loves you so much. 


It has been amazing to watch you change and grow this past year. You have brought us so much joy and love that we never knew existed. We are so lucky you are our little boy and can't wait to see what next year holds for us!


Happy first birthday baby boy. 


We love you to the moon and back. 


xoxo Mommy, Daddy and Lexi