Happy First Birthday!

Dear James,

Today you turn 1 year old!

November 2nd of last year I went to bed and planned to just spend the next day at home with your brother, but God had different plans. I had to have a c-section because of some complications, but it wasn't scheduled for another 2 weeks, although your real due date was almost 3 weeks away!

I woke up at 4am on the 3rd and knew that I would soon be meeting you! I was nervous and excited. I packed and took a shower while I waited for Mimi Elam to arrive, and then Daddy and I drove to the hospital. I didn't realize how soon I would really be meeting you. The doctor confirmed at 7:00 that you would be delivered that day. At 8:02 am you were here!

They held you up so that I could see you before taking you to clean you up and weigh you. You were beautiful. I couldn't see you while they were cleaning you up but I heard your first cry and all I wanted was to hold you! Daddy followed you over with the nurses and came back to fill me in. You were 7lbs 8oz and 20.5 inches long. At long last they brought you to me and laid you on my chest. It was so incredible. There you were. My sweet James. The little boy who ninja kicked me for months and used my bladder as your own personal bouncy house. You were perfect.

Almost perfect. You had some fluid on your lungs and within an hour of you being born you were taken to the NICU because it wasn't clearing up. I was so sad. I just wanted to be with you. As soon as they let me, I got to come up in a wheelchair to see you. I didn't get to hold you though because you were all hooked up and they were monitoring you. I was determined to get back up to see you again that night and I did. I wasn't going to get to hold you because any time the nurses moved you, your oxygen levels dropped. I sat by your little bed and held your hand for 30 minutes, and then the nurse asked if I'd like to try to hold you. Of course I did! I rocked you, and kissed you a hundred times. My heart was so full.

What we thought would be one night in the NICU turned into 6 days and 5 nights. I would walk up to see you every 2-3 hours though because I missed you and needed you in my arms.

When you came home you fit right into our family. Daniel loved you from the very start. He called you brudder and nick named you Jamesy before you were born. That one has stuck! Those first few weeks you slept all the time. Well. During the day. You were a night owl and woke constantly at night, just like Daniel did. It took Mommy awhile to get into a good routine with you and your brother, but eventually it all became normal. We found a way to balance time between you and Daniel.

Milestones. Let's see. You celebrated your first Thanksgiving and Daniel's 3rd birthday with us when you were only 3 weeks old. Your first trip to Villa Grove was right around New Year's. We celebrated Christmas and you got to meet Aunt Rachel and Uncle Micah. You made your first big trip to Iowa when you were 2.5 months old. Rolled in April. Sat up in June. You cut your first, second, third AND fourth tooth in ONE week! The very end of July/first week in August. You were pretty fussy. You started army crawling in June, and just in mid-October started crawling on your hands and knees, and boy can you fly! You also pull up on everything and are starting to "walk" holding onto to things. I'd guess you'll be walking by December.

You are amazing and sweet. You have a big toothy smile that lights up an entire room. You say, Daddy, Mommy and Bubby (which is what you call Daniel). You can also say, "bye", "puppy", "two" (which is how old you claim you are while holding up one finger!), "Who's that?" and I'm sure other words that I'm forgetting right now. Your momma is pretty forgetful! You think it's funny to turn the TV off and unplug the fan. You love to eat crackers, but ice cream is your favorite thing. You go insane when you see ice cream and yell until someone feeds you a bite! You are ticklish and laugh hysterically when tickled. You and Daniel are best buddies and love to wrestle already. I foresee many trips to the ER as you two grow. You also love being outside and cry when you have to come in. You think wind in your face is the best thing ever and will shriek with delight. Oh! And you are attached your lovies. (they're just plain white burp cloths), They give you comfort and you love to chew them and suck on them, especially when you're sleepy.

You have yet to sleep through the night, but maybe one of these days. It's exhausting getting up every few hours with you, but you know what? I love holding you and comforting you. I love late night snuggles with a sleeping baby.

I am so thankful for you and I thank God for you every day. It's amazing that he picked you and Daniel just for us. I can't wait to watch you learn and grow.

I love you so much my little Goose.

Love always,
Mommy