Dear Jack Edward

When we first found out about you, I wasn't sure how it was possible to love your dad and your sister so much and still have enough love left for another being. But I found my heart growing daily as you grew daily inside of me.

The moment I saw your sweet, chunky face, I fell head over heals twice over. I still get tears in my eyes thinking of that moment when my heart burst with love for your slimy self.

I'm continually overwhelmed with love for you.

When you were ten days old, we packed up our world and moved it halfway across the country. You and your sis were troopers! Then we survived 6 horrible months in the cockroach house.

The first couple of months there you cried... constantly. Marie and I just got used to it.

We still have no idea why, but one day you turned back into the sweet, content, very happy baby you were when you were first born.

I never wavered in my love for you. Not for even one second.

We often talked about how crazy (and awesome!) it was that we could just set you down on the floor and you'd contentedly sit and watch us. People who didn't experience your early months of crying still don't believe it ever happened.

You were always so content that you didn't even bother attempting to crawl until you were 9 months old. Now you are one and are too busy to bother with walking. I love how hard you play and how happy you are!

Today you are 1 year old...

{speechless}

To me you are still 4 months old.

When are you and your sister going to listen and obey and STOP growing up???

You have your momma wrapped around your chunky little pinky. Your bright, blue eyes melt my heart every single day.

You are such a boy, loving balls and hitting everything. You complete this family like no one else could.

I pray daily that you will be sensitive to the Spirit and give your heart to the Lord as soon as you're old enough to understand. I pray that you spend every day of your life glorifying your Savior. I don't pray for your future wife as often as I should... I guess I just have trouble imagining you ever leaving me! But I'll work on that. I promise.

I love you, sweet Schmackidy. I love your silly faces. I love your ready-to-give smiles. I love your captivating eyes. I love your sweet spirit. I love your love for your sister. I love your rolls. I love your fearlessness. I love that you reach for your daddy and clap excitedly when he gets home. I love that you look like your dad and act like him, too. I love that you're a momma's boy. I love watching you learn and grow.

I love you, JackJack, to the moon and back.