4/4

dear gibson,

for the past week, i've been mulling over what i would write for your one year letter.  one year.  how can this be?  my sweet, little bundle...

i still remember clearly the day leading up to your arrival.  contractions all day, and i'm off with your big sister to pat catan's picking up some last minute items for crafts (which in the back of my mind i knew i wouldn't get to any time soon) and ty and emma's birthdays.  those contractions got stronger and stronger to the point where i had to stop in the middle of the grocery store aisle to get through it.  i knew you were coming soon.

but i wasn't ready to go to the hospital just yet.  i even managed to sit (sort-of) through your dad's pre-recorded tv show before calling the midwife, because we knew we would fall behind if we didn't watch it then (and i wanted to eat something before we left).  but by midnight we were getting checked in and settled into our room.

and 4 hours (and 3 very, very, very hard pushes) later you graced us with your presence.  your cries pierced the room and i was so overwhelmed with joy.  i can still remember holding you close, inhaling every bit of your sweet, newborn baby smell...

you've come a long way from this...

to this...

 to this...

you are my little cuddle bug.  i love when you bury your face in my chest as i rock you before bed.  i love your little squeals and giggles, and your knack for getting. into. everthing.  you were a bruiser from the minute you were born.  you've got a laid-back disposition though you will throw a fit when there is something in particular you REALLY want that you don't get to have.  you love to sing with emma or wiggle your little butt to music or daddy's guitar playing.  daddy thinks you're going to be an arborist or a forest ranger or some outdoorsy dude, because the second word you said (after "dada") was "tee" (for tree).  and boy do you love trees.  trees make you smile.  they make you laugh.  they bring a sparkle to your eye.  maybe dad might be right...

i love you, bubba.  you fill my heart to the brim with joy.  you bring even more happiness and laughter to our family than i could ever imagine.  what a precious blessing you are my sweet boy.  i look forward to seeing what God has planned for you.

happy birthday gibson marshall!