We've Come a Long Way, Baby

hiya, sweet cheeks

quinn, you are one year old now. i cannot believe that this much time has passed so quickly. in so many ways, it seems like you got here yesterday. what a year it's been, baby boy. a year ago this week, i was missing every little sigh you made, every smile that crossed your lips in sleep, every yawn, and every stretch. b/c of the choices i made regarding how you would make your entrance into this world, i was back in the hospital fighting for my life. i regret so many things about your birth, but the two things i regret the most are missing out on the second week of your life and not being able to nurse you. you were well taken care of that week; your grammie and your aunties took very good care of you...and daddy when he was well enough, for he had become very seriously ill, too. but, it's just not the same, quinnado. I wanted to be the one to see your every change for those 7 days. i cried myself to sleep every night that i had to be away from you and sissy.

we've come a long way, sweet boy. not only was your birth wrought with challenges, you battled a hideous case of reflux for months, but here you are today eating and sleeping well, and able to do so without a million doess of meds. you are a super mellow little dude 99% of the time. you've got some temper to go with that red hair of yours, but it's quick. you don't hold grudges.

you are growing and changing so fast. you are a big ol' boy, and these days you look a whole lot like your daddy. you have his cheeks and chin. i still think that your eye shape and color comes from me, and those dimples...my god those dimples...i think you get those from your grammie. your hair is beginning to turn blonde under the red, which is exactly what mine did as a baby (though a much younger baby than you are now). i REFUSE to cut your hair b/c it would mean the end of the red and of the curls. it is a little bit funny, though, when i wash your hair and it's down to your shoulders in the back. heh. you have a mullet, dude!

i love you, my sweet boy. the greatest gift i've ever received has been the priviledge of being the mommy to sissy and you. to grow you in my tummy and to have the priviledge of bringing you into this world. what a gift!

onward we grow, little man!

love,
mommy