Happy Birthday to You!

If we didn't have birthdays,

you wouldn't be you,

If you'd never been born,

well then what would you do?

If you'd never been born,

well then what would you be?

You migh be a fish!

Or a toad in a tree!

You might be a doorknob!

Or three baked potatoes!

You might be a bag full of

hard green tomatoes.

Or worse than all that...

Why, you might be a WASN'T!

A Wasn't has no fun at all.

No, he doesn't.

A Wasn't just isn't. He just

isn't present. But you...

You ARE YOU!

And, now isn't that pleasant!

-Dr. Seuss

Dear Langston,

You are a year old today! You have been such a blessing to your daddy and me! On the day you were born we could not have known how much more we would enjoy life with you.

You have changed and developed so much over the past year....up until you were 3 months old you mainly slept and ate. The only reason you fussed would be either you were hungry or needed your diaper changed. And even then, your daddy described your cry as "apologetic" as if you were sorry to bother us. 

At 3 months we let you start sleeping in your crib at night in your own room. Mommy slept in there with you for the first few nights, but you easily adjusted. Your personality started showing through and you would start giggling and laughing when something struck you as funny! 

I went back to work when you were 4 1/2 months old and daddy got to stay home with you! Since mommy was coaching volleyball you got to come to the gym and watch games and visit with the parents of the players! Again, you handled this with ease! All the girls and the parents loved hanging out with you! Your sweet demeanor was easy to love. Some of the parents kept joking with us that we should get your hair cut, but we didn't relent...until later! I love that if mommy and daddy were working we could leave you with friends and they would always say how good you were! At church we could sit you in your Bumbo and you would play. 

Around 6 months old you really got the hang of rolling over. We quickly learned that we could not leave you on the bed by yourself. At that point, we could at least build up pillows around you to keep you from getting to the edge of the bed or couch. Then around 8 months you could sit up on your own. Also, this is when we finally gave in and got you your first haircut! We were in DeFuniak for Christmas and we went to a restaurant and on the way out someone said, "oh, look at all HER hair...."  and mommy told daddy we were going right then! You were so cute!! Somewhere along this time you started cutting teeth!  Currently you are up to 6!

I think the haircut really helped motivate you to crawl. I think it was because you could finally see everything! So, around 9 1/2 months you became truly mobile and started crawling!! You started getting into everything and searching and investigating! At this age you became more fussy because you just wanted to know what was going on at all times! You started fighting sleep and fighting sitting still at church and other places. 

From 10 months until now, you really have just blossomed.  You fuss and scream more (when you don't get your way) and you still don't want to sit still or go to sleep.  However, you are so smart!  You take things apart and try to put them together again.  You try to put your foot in your shoes.  You like to put a spoon in the baby food and then put it to your mouth!  You can pick up some foods and feed yourself.  You clap and laugh when we say "Yay!"  You wave goodbye and give us hugs and kisses when we ask. You love to take walks or swing outside. You absolutely love music and the color red!

Earlier this week, you took your first two steps without holding on to anything or anyone.  I know this is just the beginning of many new adventures! I admit that I am nervous (maybe a little scared) of the next few years when you are testing the boundaries and show that strong will!

This year has gone by so fast and you have done so many new things!  You are truly so sweet and kind spirited and all boy!  Ever since you were born I have thought that you are meant to do great things and bring happiness to the lives of many people! 

We love you with all our heart! Happy 1st Birthday Langston!

Mommy and Daddy