Dear Xavier - One Year

Dear Xavier,

Happy birthday!

As I've been preparing for your big day, I've been reminiscing a lot about last summer: your crazy birth story, your NICU stay, your ups and your downs.

You've definitely managed to keep me on my toes this past year, both with your health issues and your spunky attitude. And I just can't quite grasp the fact that you are now ONE. Looking through the beautiful scrapbooks that your Lola has made to chronicle your first year, I can hardly believe that you - my so-close-to-walking, giggly, such-a-boy you - are the same teensy-weensy three pound fragile baby that I see in those pictures.

Oh, Xavier. This past year has been exhausting, trying, exhilarating, and amazing. You're still not quite sleeping through the night (we're ready for this milestone whenever you are) and ever since you've been on the move, I spend the majority of my time diverting you from trouble. You seem to love spending time at the doctor, always giving us excuses to keep going back to one specialist or another. You may have gained a whopping seventeen pounds since your birth day, but I think you will forever be my delicate little preemie.

Without a doubt, you have grown - literally, figuratively, emotionally, developmentally, physically - so much since June 26, 2012. And it is with mixed emotions that I acknowledge the fact that you're inching evermore closer to toddlerdom than babyhood. Because while I am so excited to see what the future holds for you, I would also be more than okay with slowing down time just a little bit to cherish these sweet, sweet days with my baby.

I love you, little peanut.

Stay forever healthy, happy, and mine.

Love,

Mommy

P.S. As far as celebrations, we had a fabulous first birthday party last weekend. Today, on your actual birthday day, we went to Mass, played at Monkey's Treehouse, opened gifts, and just enjoyed family time.

P.P.S. As far as this past month goes, we discovered two front teeth, a hatred for splashpads, an indifference to pools, and a pure love for crawling, cruising, and food. Here are a few of our favorite pics.