letter to henry : 1 year

Dear Henry,

It has been one year since you were born. One year since I first laid eyes on you and heard your first cry. One year since my heart expanded wider and deeper than I realized possible. One year since you changed me and my life forever.

I think I've told you this before, but before you were born, I spent hours imagining what you'd be like. I wondered who you would be, what characteristics would define you, what traits you'd inherit from me or your papa or our family. I wondered if I'd be a good mother. I admit I sometimes even wondered whether you'd like me!

I think it's safe to say you do like me, and you are living proof that Papa and I are doing a pretty good job, too.

I couldn't have dreamed up a more perfect son for your papa and me.

You are healthy and strong.

You are joyful and spirited.

You are smart and observant.

You are just plain good company.

And now, after 365 days together, I know more than a thing or two about you!

Some of your favorite things over the past year:
Playing with boxes, Sophie the Giraffe (who has since gone missing), things on rings (toys, keys, measuring spoons), stacking and sorting toys, blocks, the remote control and my iPhone
Going out
Taking walks
Listening to music
Dancing
Bubbles
Swinging at the park
Splashing in the bath
Food

Some of your least favorite things:
Wearing shoes and hats
Having your face and hands wiped after a meal
Teething (I don't blame you!)
A wet diaper (Again, understandable!)
The gate that prevents you from scooting into the kitchen
Napping
Waiting for food

Some things you do:
Scoot, instead of crawl
Walk along things
Clap (especially when you are proud of yourself or when you're excited)
Sing ("deedle-dee-dee!" you sing in the bath)
High-five
Point to your head, nose, sometimes ears
Kiss (you give these out carefully)
Huff and puff when you're upset
Rub your ear lobe to fall asleep
Stick your pacifier in your mouth when you're really upset

Some things you say:
"Uh-oh"
"All done!"
"Mama"
"Papa"

I can say with absolute certainty that you are one of my favorite people. Seriously.

People warned me that this year would zoom by, and I didn't understand what they meant until I started to notice our days turn into weeks and those weeks turn into months. It really doesn't feel that long ago that you were lying quiet and still in my arms. And now here we are: You are zipping around your ever-expanding world, exploring and learning and changing quicker than lightning, and I am trying to catch you--and my breath.

Boy it's not easy. Nobody said it would be, and it sure isn't! But I love it. I love being your mama. There is nowhere else I'd rather be than here with you and your Papa in this crazy beautiful life of ours.

Photo by Andrea Scher

Thank you for being such a wonderful son! I love you like mad.

Yours always,
Mama

* * *

I wrote letters to my son Henry almost every month for the first year of his life. You can read previous ones here and here.