Dearest Holden,

As of today, you have been here with us on this Earth for 365 days, my little Superbowl Baby. You sir, have been the light of my world for each and every one. Not to say that your brothers and sisters haven't been, but you were the missing piece to our puzzle. You have brought each of us joy in a different way, for me it was a redemption and the opportunity to do everything I wish I could have done with your prior siblings from day one; for which ever reasons (school, finances, ignorance) I was unable to do before. My intention and investment in you has produced the most easy going, agreeable, and joyful little guy this family has ever known.

Although we don't keep up with your growth on a chart, we know you are a big guy. At the only well check you've had, you were over 80% for height and weight. At 11 months, you were diagnosed with Raynaud's phenomenon; a condition that makes your hands, feet, and lips turn purple. We were so relieved to find out that this is a seemingly benign condition that you will hopefully grow out of. We are careful to keep you bundled during this particularly cold winter. You still see Dr. Jason almost every week and you still don't mind his adjustments too much. You sat up at 3 months, crawled just before 6, and have been standing on your own for extended moments. We know you are waiting for us to go out of town in a couple of weeks, so you can take your first steps at Grammy & Papa's just like your brothers. You are a waver and a pointer, and you can charm a stranger from across the room. Your vocabulary isn't expansive, but you have no problem communicating your needs. "Dada", "Ma-ma", "A-da", "Ed-ded", and "Bub-ba" are all of the most important people in your life.

You have six teeth, four on top and two on bottom, and are getting much more proficient at using them. Admittedly, I have really accommodated you with your unwillingness to chew your food by keeping bites little and extra soft. You love to eat. There is no food you don't like, and believe me, we have tried a LOT. From raw liver to fish and any kind of vegetable and everything in between -- you like it all. I love to see you squeal and point to the fridge each morning in anticipation of your scrambled eggs with cheese and bacon bits. Your daddy loves to sneak you foods that I would never approve of, and he is to blame for your first taste of french fry, peanut butter, brownie, and ice cream. You had your first cupcake for your cake smash photo shoot and devoured it with haste. You seem to have a milk sensitivity, and I drove to the dairy farm in Claremore for the first nine months of your life to provide you with the next best thing to my milk. I am looking forward to the day that we can say goodbye to cow's milk completely.

Your sleeping patterns have finally improved and are leaving us all more rested during the day. It took you 10 months to sleep all night. I'm sure most of that was my fault, but I enjoyed our night time meetings. I'll be honest, I am enjoying my sleep more. You always wake up happy and ready to play. We still are not on a regular napping schedule, we just nap when you need to. You get woken up a lot for your siblings activities, but you are always cooperative and sweet about it. We took away your Soothie at 6 months, but gave it back when we took you to California a few months later. Now, I may never take it away -- I know you won't go to Kindergarten with it after all.

Your favorite toys are Ady, Cade, and Hunter. You love being the baby when they play "House". Although you are content to play alone in your Pack 'N Play, I often find you and your brothers in there all together. Same goes for your crib after naps. Bath time is a favorite time of day, and I'm always certain to give you your own washcloth to chew and play with. You love your massage with coconut oil afterwards and always try to make an escape for diaper free time.

As I think about the year ahead, and the changes and plans we have, I can not wait to see these through your eyes. Even though you are our baby, we cherish every first moment just like you were our first baby. I can't wait to see you take your first steps in the sand, help your Papa feed the cows, and join your brothers on adventures.

Holden Wyatt, you have surely stolen my heart. You have been our missing link, and brought us all so much joy and fulfillment. We promise to continue to love you, guide you, and train you up to be the man God planned for you to be.

Happy 1st Birthday

All my love,
Mom