One Really Great Year

Dear Jacob-
Acquiring such a great volume of new skills in only one year seems impossible. But not for such an inquisitive, enthusiastic, eager little man as yourself. Here is a list of things that amaze me:

• You have gone from hardly moving and sleeping almost all day long, to moving non-stop unless you are asleep (which only lasts a couple of hours a day).
• You have grown immensely. You fit into the clothes that fit most 2-3 year old kids.
• You love giving "five" and include a sound effect each time your hand hits mine.
• You have been able to communicate very effectively for quite a while but your vocabulary has increased dramatically. You say: mama, dada, milk, hot, kiss, sister, brubru (brother), no, don't (with your tiny pointer finger extended), ear, eye, nose, tongue, teeth, love you, hi, bubye, and plenty of other words.
• You have learned to roll over, sit, crawl, stand, walk, dance, and now you LOVE to CLIMB!! You attempt a bath in the sink at least 10 times a day. You grab onto the toilet seat, climb up, then climb to the counter from there, get right in the sink, turn the faucet so it's over the counter, turn on the water, and flood the bathroom! No matter how many times mommy tells you "no," you persist. You climb on the speaker in the family room, the kitchen chairs and table, and even my night stand. You climb all the way up the twisty slide at the red slide park, then laugh as you slide back down on your belly.
  
• You have, at last, learned not to play in the toilet. Yay!
• You have become so independent, waking up from your nap, climbing off the bed, opening the door, and running out to the family room to play with your brother and sister.
• Your smile and laugh are contagious. You are an absolute doll.
  
• You love to do everything your older brother and sister do. You practice brushing your teeth, "reading" books, and sweeping. You even jump on the trampoline!
• You were born a percussionist and you have never stopped drumming. Everything you touch is a drum.
• You seem to really enjoy food, when you are in the mood for it. Though you always prefer your first love, breast milk!
  
• You are great with using your hands to take apart small things, remove lids, or put them back on.
  
• You have a wonderful sense of humor and love to laugh.
• You are a busy man who loves to GO GO GO!

If I wanted to include everything you've learned, all of your likes and dislikes, and all the ways you've changed, I would spend another year typing this letter and miss out on the second year of your life! You are amazing, wonderful, beautiful, loving, fun, adorable, unstoppable, my whole heart and soul and my world! I love you and I can't wait to see what the next year brings!

Love, Mommy

A half-finished letter I found.

Dear Jacob-
There comes a point when things become natural and how things were before is forgotten.

You have grown cautious.

Your personality has either developed or you have found many new ways of expressing it:
You are more demanding in some ways and so very independent in others.
You are physically capable.
You communicate like never before.
You always smile and everyone adores you.

You have a clear place in our family and it fits beautifully.

You love doggies.

The only time you are ever really unhappy is when you have an ear infection.

Changes

Dear Jacob-
You wouldn't believe how the time has flown. It has been four amazing months since I last wrote. You have captured my heart with a force so powerful, it could never be released. If I had been asked in January, "Is it possible to love Jacob more than you do right now?" I would have replied with a resounding "No!" Much to my astonishment, it IS possible!

You have reached and passed by several milestones. On March 30th, your first baby tooth emerged. Now you have 5! You recently began clapping in delight! You wave hello. You sit without support and move to your tummy, side, and back. You maneuver all around on the floor, searching for anything chewy! You have become so adept at rolling, I'm not sure why you would want to crawl! The way you engage people with your blue eyes and wide-mouthed grin is captivating. People can't resist trying to take you all in: smiling at you, holding you, kissing your soft cheeks, and laughing!

When I look back on the time that has already passed, I can't help but wish I had the power to freeze the clock and live in today forever. You are changing and growing so quickly. I love every new phase, but I miss the old ones more than I can say.

You are adored.

Love, Mommy

The Perfect Package

Dear Jacob-
Your chunky thighs have four rolls. Four! Your pudgy leg ends with a dainty little ankle and the cutest foot I've ever seen! Your toes are long. You have a big, round belly with a big, round button. Your arms are long and your hands are large (for a baby your age). You clench them in fists most of the time. You even have rolls on your back and neck. You have a small cleft in your teeny chin. Or one of your chins, I should say, as you have three. Your perfect ears stick out slightly. They have soft, fuzzy hairs lining their edges. Your sweet lips are pink and juicy. Your huge open-mouthed grin is contagious. You have a little round mommy nose. Your cheeks are smooth and soft and rosy. Your beautiful, blue eyes absolutely sparkle! You have long blond lashes and perfectly arched brows. Your fuzzy hair is so light you almost can't tell it is there in some spots. You are an amazingly adorable little package!

Love, Mommy

Christmas is coming!

Dear Jacob-
Christmas is coming. I remember, when you were still developing inside of me, thinking about this Christmas. I knew you would be about two months old and I wondered what you would be like. You are such a sweet and perfect angel. We gave you your Christmas present early--a baby swing. It is one sophisticated toy. It rocks back and forth or side to side. It plays fun music, peaceful music, soothing sounds like a heartbeat or whales, or hooks to my ipod for whatever music we choose! You seem to enjoy the swing, not as much as you love being held by me or daddy though. I am glad, because I love to be close to you. I can't get enough of you baby!

I took you to your eight week check-up on Tuesday. You weighed 13 lbs. 14 oz. and were 26 inches long. WOW!! You have grown and changed so much. You used to just lay in a ball, and sleep all day long. Now, you get excited about things and kick your legs and flail your arms. You smile at me all the time. You are getting so round. Your legs have 4 rolls and you have 3 chins! There are little creases all the way up your soft arm. I didn't know it was possible for me to love you even more than I did yesterday, but I do. Every day it grows as we become more familiar with each other.

Everett loves you so much. He loves to hold you and make your limbs do stuff. He grabs your little foot and makes you kick your leg. He thinks it's very funny. He is concerned about your welfare and lets me know if you are ever sad. Right now, he is telling me, "My pajamas don't fit baby Jacob." He is full of these insights. Charity is your second mommy. She loves to hold you and talk to you. She kisses you all the time. You like saying "hi" to her. I don't think you understand what it means yet, but you are great at mimicking the sound. Charity lets me know when she thinks you are tired or hungry or just want your mommy. She gets diapers or a pacifier or burp cloth for you when I need them. She is such a good helper!

You are so loved and always will be.

Love, Mommy

Dear Jacob, This is what I got to wake up to this morning. . .

Day Dreaming

Dear Jacob-
Today I was day dreaming. I dreamed of us, on a deserted island. We sat on the warm sand. You smiled and cooed as the waves rolled in. The noise was beautiful: the noise you made mingled with the sound of the gentle waves. Daddy was there too. He wrapped us in his long arms and kissed you on your perfect head. Charity flitted about like a fairy. She interrupted her play every few minutes to come over and talk softly to you. Everett said cute things that made me laugh as he searched for seashells, finding one just for you. He brought it to us, mimicking the way sister had spoken and touching your creamy white arm.

Every time I look into your true-blue eyes I am there. Back on the island, back at the beach. Just loving you. Just being a family. Bound to one another by invisible but invincible bonds. That's what you do.

Love, Mommy