Happy Birthday To You!

Dear Frazier,

 

Man plans and God laughs - how true that is from the start of your life up until now. You were certainly a sweet and wonderful surprise from God. I think back to my nervousness about being able to find room in my heart to love another baby. How silly that was. I have been smitten with you from the beginning. You have filled our home with endless smiles, and it has been so sweet to watch you grow your first year. I pray your happy disposition stays with you throughout life.

 

God continued His laughing for your first birthday...we had grand plans to celebrate your birthday and then continue to celebrate with a Christmas Open House, but you, sweet boy, caught RSV, so we had to cancel everything. While we were disappointed to not be able to visit with friends and family, it allowed us to slow down and let you be the center of attention to just your grandparents. It was nice to be able to celebrate them, too, and all that they do for our family. So, yesterday, we enjoyed a slow day with a lot of food and finished the day with a nice bonfire in the evening.

 

It is hard for me to believe that a year ago I was home recovering from giving birth and you were a mere 7.5 lbs. Mary-Michael loves that you and Jesus almost share a birthday, and I agree. It makes my favorite time of year even better. When I was putting you to bed the night of your birthday I had to take a moment to rock you. I cried because I always do when I think how quickly our children are growing, but more importantly I prayed. I prayed that you would know Jesus at a young age, and that you would be fearless (like your Daddy). That you would dream big and make a huge impact on this world as a Christ-follower. I prayed you would want God to be your best friend because He will not lead you astray. And I prayed that God would equip your Daddy and me to be the kind of parents to raise you to love Jesus, love others and serve others. You are going to be an amazing young man - I believe it!

 

So, before I go off with more mushy-gushy stuff, let me share what you're up to these days. You are standing on your own but still walking with a hand holding on to something. You are a fast crawler and mostly still get around that way. You love to dance, clap your hands and are starting to point to things you want. We are working on baby sign language but mostly you just offer a shrill if you don't like something or need something. It is piercing!

 

You eat fairly well and lately, you are really enjoying clementines and butter beans. I am still nursing you and had planned to stop when you turned a year old, but with all your illnesses these past few months, I am going to continue to nurse you twice a day to get through the winter. Hopefully, this will help prevent some illnesses.

 

We went in for your well baby check up last week (you actually weren't well - you had RSV), and here are the stats.

 

22 lbs 2.5 oz - 56th percentiles

2.5 ft. tall - 63rd percentile

94th percentile for your head

 

Frazier, we are so incredibly fortunate to have you in our family. I can't express how much love is in our hearts for you. You are truly a treasure. And besides a winning personality, you have to be one of the most handsome baby boys that ever existed (Ok, I get it - I'm your mom, but come on, look at these pitcures below?!). We love you little man.

 

Momma

 

Butter beans for birthday lunch.

 

Birthday cake and Frazier's own cupcake.

 

Mesmerized.

 

Apparently, he heard there was a cupcake eating contest. No hands allowed!

 

The inside of the cake. (thank you Pinterest)

 

Boxes are way more fun than the toys inside.

 

So happy! 

 

Sweet long eyelashes on my handsome boy.

 

Such joy and look at that smile.

 

I'm praying he loves to read like his sister!

 

Thank you to everyone who has supported us during his first year of life. We will continue to need your prayers (especially once he starts walking because he is ALL boy!).