Keeping Up with the Joneses!: Happy Birthday Baby!

Dear Landon,

One year ago today you made me the happiest, most joyful, most grateful, most exhausted, most terrifyed, most elated woman in the world. I can't tell you how much I love you...you won't ever know until you have a son of your own one day...and even then, I'm not sure you'll really know.

Oh how this year has changed me! I used to get up when I wanted to...now you wake me up when you want to...usually much earlier than I want. I used to get dressed up and go shopping all day, sometimes without even stopping to eat! Now I throw clothes on that I don't mind getting slobber, snot, bananas, milk, or any other various sticky substance strewn upon--and I RARELY EVER LEAVE THE HOUSE WITHOUT YOU. That means I don't go shopping for me anymore...only for you (and daddy)...and IF we are shopping, then we definitely have to fit it in on YOUR schedule: In between feedings and naps...which feels like occurs EVERY 2-4 hours depending on how old you were/are. I also used to sit down and eat what I wanted to, and when I wanted to. I drank water all day long because it was healthy and I remembered to do it. Now...I am so busy tending to you that I don't have time to fix myself a meal...so I end up snacking on yours. I guess the good thing about that is I don't eat enough to gain a ton of weight. I also don't drink enough anymore to stay well hydrated, leaving me constantly thirsty! Do you see how many sacrifices I have made/continue to make for you?? All because I love you...oh, how I love you!

I have always considered myself a patient person. A first grade teacher needs to be a patient person afterall. But, I have certainly grown more patient because of you. You are very, very determined. You really, really, really know what you want (or you think you do) and you will keep trying to get it for a while. You are a problem-solver and you amaze daddy and I every day with the things you do. We can't get much past you!

We tried to give you a cake at your birthday party. I made a very pretty cake (that I worked on for hours) with an adorable polka-dotted number 1 on the top. You were supposed to dig in to it and make a mess...but did you want to do that? Nope. I chalked it up to the fact that it was fondant and not very "dig-in-able". So we tried again...today. For your real birthday I bought you a red velvet cream-cheese icing topped cupcake. I thought for sure that you would dig in to this one...it was much messier looking. But instead, you just decided that cake and cupcakes were not for you...what 1 year old screams at his cake? I don't know...but you did. Here's a picture to prove it.