12 months

The week before your birthday was, honestly, pretty emotional for me. I mean, to think of where we were last year and where we are today? The only thing I can say is that God is AWESOME!

This month, I feel like you became a big kid over night. 

Big kid food and drink.

Big kid swing.

We celebrated you on the weekend before your birthday. The inspiration for your party came from a photo that was taken of your dad reading to you in the NICU, while you were in the incubator.

This one. And like I said in last month's post, you still love to read.

We are very blessed that you have all you need. So in lieu of gifts, we had all the guests that were invited to your party bring children's books that we could donate to the same NICU that your dad and I read to you in. That was a special time for us, and one of the few things we could do for you while you laid there getting stronger. We want to make sure other parents have that same special moment.

You are very loved. A lot of people came to celebrate you, but most of all, we celebrated your Creator. Your dad said a few words about you. We all sang your favorite hymn, "Come Thou Fount." Then, before you dug into your smash cake, Big Bob (my grandfather) prayed over you. It was a very special day.

On your birthday, we went to the hospital, where you were born, to drop off the books. It was great to be able to thank the doctors and nurses who took great care of you.

I will end this year of posts with the verse that we prayed over you while we were in the hospital, awaiting your arrival.

"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being." (Ephesians 3:14-16)

We will continue to pray this over you, as you continue to grow. We love you.