Has It Really Been A Year Already?!

Micah Allen,

It’s the night before your 1^st birthday and I just went in and checked on you fast asleep peaceful as can be and sleeping like a baby. What a journey this has been being your mom this last year. It has definitely flown by for me, and I’m not kidding when I say I wish I could go back and start all over. You were the most amazing baby I’ve ever known. I am so thankful to our Lord for graciously giving you to us. We realize you are not really ours. We are just tools in leading you to Christ, and furthering His glory. It has been an incredible fulfilling blessing to watch you grow and see your personality evolve. The last 365 days you have changed in immense ways -- Going from 100% dependent on us to “Mr. Independent” not wanting our help with ANYTHING. You continue to bring so much joy and fill our hearts with so much love. You constantly make us laugh and entertain all those around you. I can’t wait to see what this next year is going bring us (hopefully it’ll go a lot slower than last year).

My favorite things you’re doing right now:

-Walking into your room to get you after you wake up and seeing you jumping like a mad man in your crib. (It’s also hilarious when you’re jumping in there screaming b/c you don’t want to take a nap.)

-Playing peek-a-boo with your blanket, the shower curtain or anything else you can hide behind.

-Our game you play while your sitting in your highchair/ car seat and you bonk your head and pretend to be crying or upset till I rub it and tell you “it’s okay, it’s okay” –then you smile SOO big with the cutest dimples I’ve ever seen – then we have to repeat this about a dozen more times.

-When (key word: ‘when’) you let me rock you to sleep and you play with my hair so gentle, and pat my arm as if you’re trying to put ME to sleep.

-When you get off on your ‘talking’ frenzy and say the craziest things I’ve ever heard. You are quite the story teller. I could listen to you jibber jabber all day.

-When we’ve kept you up too late and you’re beyond tired and you get in your silly happy mood. We barely have to touch you/tickle you and you have cutest uncontrollable gut laugh, and let me tell you—it is contagious!

Thanks for being so patient with your Dad and I as we’re trying to figure out this whole parenting thing. We have made endless mistakes where we should have been more patient, could have been more loving, reacted selfishly. Our flaws will only become more evident as you get older. We will let you down and won’t ever be perfect. That’s why we pray you will always look and strive to be like your heavenly Father who will NEVER fail you, is ALWAYS loving, patient and kind. Seek Him first Micah…with all your heart. That’s the greatest gift you could ever give us. We love you and are so crazy about you. Happy 1^st Birthday! What a gift you’ve been! All Our Love, Dad and Mom

An hour old

After your 1st bath

Getting ready to bring you home!!

Daddy and his mini-me. Look how Big you've gotten!

Checking out your cake..

PRESENTS! Of course you cared more about the wrapping paper and bow then the actual gift.

Your best buddy Landon and you.

Your older buddies Ben and Braden

Party crew

Loving the balloons with Grandpa!

Checking out the aquarium with mom.

Setting up for your party! (Looking at the balloons it still makes me angry! We lost so many!!)

Nemo!

The night of your actual birthday -- about to dive into your cupcakes.

Pretty stinken cute.

LOVE you little man! SOOOO MUCH! MUAH!