Dear Logan,

Dear Logan,

Oh Logan, my littlest love, are you really a year old already? Yes, thirteen months, actually! I'm sure that, each and every year, I will always be amazed at how quickly the time has passed. You came into our world on June 2, 2008, a healthy 8 pounds and 13 ounces. You had such a loud voice and fabulous, thick, dark brown hair that stood straight up on your head. The moment that I knew you were a boy, I burst into tears with a huge swell of pride. "I am so proud of my boys!" I couldn't stop saying that. You and I spent four days in the hospital together. Learning each others' patterns and staring into each others' faces. I'll never ever forget those first days.

Your daddy was able to hold you first. He too was bursting with pride. You met your grandma Diane that first day too. Grandpa and Lonnie and mommy's friends Tabitha and Miriam also came to visit us in the hospital. Your brother, Jackson, was so nervous when he met you. He was overwhelmed by the hospital, I think, because he fell in love with you as soon as you came home. "I love Logan so much, Mommy, " he said once. You two are so sweet when you play together. I can't get enough of the giggles when you have each other laughing in the back seat of the car. My favorite part of the day, though, is when we are getting ready for bed in the evening. After baths, bedtime stories, and toothbrushes, we finish the nighttime ritual by saying, "hugs and kisses all around!" Jackson always hugs and kisses you goodnight before he gets into bed. That is just so sweet.

You have grown into a happy and curious toddler. Your hair is lighter brown now and your eyes are an amazing blue. It is so easy to make you laugh and I love that. You are such a snuggle bug, too. I love it when you lay your sweet head on my chest and wrap your arm around mine, even when I have to carry all 22 1/2 pounds of sleeping you through the grocery store while pushing a shopping cart full of groceries.

You aren't quite walking yet but you can stand and "cruise" really well. When you were about nine months old, you started to use the baby sign that we taught you for "all done" and saying, what sounded like, "aaaa duuuu" (all done). You still say "al du" just before you start throwing your food across the kitchen when you're finished eating. Despite the food tossing, though, you have a good appetite. I think your favorite things are sliced (soy) cheese, broccoli, and fruit- especially raspberries. I think you would eat an entire truck full of raspberries if given the chance.

You prefer to be outside instead of in. You love the swing in our backyard and never get tired of hanging there and swinging. You love the swimming pool and kick your little legs like a frog when you get in deep enough water. When you are inside, you spend a lot of time throwing balls and crawling after them. Or, trying to sneak into the pantry so you can squeeze the juice boxes that are on the bottom shelf.

On the 4th of July this year, you loved the fireworks! You pointed at each one as it went up in the air. When we did fireworks in our driveway, you pointed at those too. Sometimes you made a funny face and shouted, "pop!"

We have some fun adventures planned as a family this summer and I'm soaking up every minute of family time that we have. From splashing in the Yuba River to just hanging out in the grass at the park, every minute is precious to me.

For your birthday we had a small party at a park. You enjoyed crawling around in the grass and watching bubbles float out of our bubble machine. You ate a little of the "cookies and cream" cupcake that we gave you but then used your hair as a napkin to wipe the frosting off of your hands. You are so funny! Happy birthday my sweet baby!

Love,

mama

More letters to my kids can be found here.