Dear Hammond James...

Happy first birthday!!  

(Well, technically happy birthday + 6 days...I'm still catching up!)

I could not be more grateful that God chose me to be your mama.  Being a mom has been one of the biggest challenges that I've faced so far, but more than that, it's been one of the most gratifying experiences yet.  I wish I could show you just how much I love you.

You are full of LIFE, and so curious about everything going on around you.  But, like your daddy (and unlike your mama), you like to sit back and take it all in.  You are content watching everything unfold around you, and being on the outskirts of all the action.  

You are determined to perfect whatever you start (or at least that's the excuse I am giving for the fact that you've been crawling for SIX months!).  

Finally, you have such a tender heart and are full of love.  I have no doubt that you will be strong and courageous as you grow (very manly characteristics), but you can't be the best of those without the first two listed. :)  Thanks for loving your daddy and I so well.  

I can't believe a year has already flown by, and I know these others will just go faster.  Again, I'm so blessed to be your mama, and continue to pray that you know Jesus more and more over the years and that we can help lead you into a growing relationship with Him.  

12 month update:

- we're off formula and bottles completely!  he basically eats whatever we eat (except that I probably feed him a much more balanced meal than I do myself :).  

- some of his favorites? eggs, zucchini, veggie burgers, turkey burgers, chicken burgers (!), fruit of all kind, yogurt, oatmeal, toast, and it just goes on and on

- still naps twice a day (has pretty much dropped the evening nap), but due to some commitments, our schedule isn't quite as set.  which throws us off some.

- has 4 teeth fully in, and 2 more on the way

- drinks lots of water a day (like his mama)

- LOVES all of his new toys that he got for his birthday....we hadn't updated our toy box since he was a baby...oops!

- is taking some steps, but still prefers crawling

- still lots of babbling, and I like to convince myself that it makes sense (mamamama while looking at me means that he knows, right?!)