Happy Birthday, Isaiah {You are One}

Happy Birthday, Isaiah {You are One}.

I love doing these for my children because it is amazing to watch them grow and see how they change from year-to-year.

(Samarah’s were done in this style: Happy Birthday, Samarah {This is One}, Happy Birthday, Samarah {This is Two})

Exactly One Year Ago Today

Dear Isaiah,

Today you turn one. And exactly one year ago today a woman shared with me an article titled, Dear Mom of an Adopted Child. On that day when I cried reading the article, I had no idea that yet another beautiful miracle was brought into the world for your daddy and I.

We now know that you came in around 3:30pm in the afternoon, at just 32 weeks, weighing 4 pounds, 15 ounces, and 12 inches long.

Just like with Samarah, there are many weeks, days, hours and moments that we did not get to spend with you during your first year of life. We said it with Sam, and we’ll say it to you:

Daddy and I know that jet planes don’t have rear view mirrors, so we thank God daily for each day He gas given us with you…..months 10-12.

We know that in your first 10 months of life, you were so loved and blood had nothing to do with it. To all of them, we are forever grateful.

You are One.

We wanted and prayed for a Little Man. Instead, we got a Little Tank. You are insanely strong, and truly the little engine that could.

You have found your screaming voice and you love that about yourself (we aren’t sure how we feel about it quite yet:)).

You love to smack your hands hard on the ground while you crawl.

You stand and bounce, and walk while holding onto everything. You aren’t walking by yourself yet, but it’s only a matter of time because you’re fully ready.

You love your mama’s food, and you eat in a similar style to Samarah – anything and everything, all the goods. And today we introduced you to a whole new world of foods, including mama’s peanut butter.

We go on a “bear hunt” daily, and it just might be your favorite thing to hunt.

Your giggle is infectious. You sound like Woody Wood Pecker, and when we get you giggling for long enough, we all start to laugh.

Sometimes daddy stands you up and talks in a funny voice, pretending it’s you, moving your hands and having you wiggle. We can’t get enough of it because he’s always doing something new and entertaining.

“Give mama kisses,” I say to you, and you know exactly what I mean and lean in right close for the love.

You love music, but hate loud, sudden noises.

You really love when mama sings to you. In those moments, you look at me like you’ve known me long before we ever met.

Today was Your Day

Grandma Jewison came to help celebrate your big day.

It was, for the most part, a very normal day, which is perfectly okay.

After breakfast, you and Samarah played hard together. You pushed chairs, smacked your hands on the ground, bounced, screamed, giggled, put everything in your mouth and emptied out every last thing in the little kitchen Samarah shares with you.

We left around 9:30am and headed to San Jose to the Children’s Discovery Museum. You had not taken a nap yet, so you mostly wanted to be held in the Ergo. We did crawl around together in one room, and you loved it….just as long as you could always see me.

The rest of the time, you watched all the things Samarah was doing. Check out the painting she did for you!

When we got home, I made you an extra-special cake with not-so-special frosting. Yes, Isaiah, you had your first Paleo Birthday Cake….I mean, minus the whole frosting bit. You cried for awhile during the cake smash, until of course Samarah came to help.

You were so excited once we got the peanut butter out. And guess what, baby boy? Even though mama’s business is almost completely over, I know where to find the recipe so you and Samarah will always have a healthy stash!

The day was long and busy, so by 7pm you were completely, totally and 100% ready to lay down and suck that thumb to sleep.

We thank God for choosing us, even though I have felt so unworthy during these past couple of months.

I can’t wait for your next year of life to unravel.

We love you!

Love always,
Mama (and Daddy)

Xox,
SKH