One year ago today I ate a Sam’s Club hot dog and jalapeno cheddar pretzel, I waddled around the store drinking a gigantic ice-cold root beer and shortly after that the contractions began.

One year ago tomorrow, my baby was cut out of my abdomen and came into this world screaming.

My baby is the single best thing I have ever done in my life.

One whole year.

How has this happened??

Today, he laughs, claps and waves. He furniture surfs, crawls like a pro, and eats like the hungriest of all the hippos. He loves “The Itsy Bitsy Spider” and attempts to do the hand movements along with me. He pretends to whisper to me, and the “Peter Piper” tongue twister sends him into giggle fits. He loves listening to me sing and playing “Dinosaur” with his Dad. He doesn’t say words yet, but we know exactly what he needs when he babbles. He wants to turn all the pages in his books, and then eat them. Nothing is safe from being put into his mouth. He has 6 teeth, but probably 793 more on the way, judging by the amount of drool in his mouth. His absolute favorite things are green beans, Baby Einstein videos, gymnastics class, swimming and his Lullaby Lambs. His best friends are all born within 4 months, Ariella, Hudson, Addison & Samantha. He has slept through the night since he was a month old, give or take a handful of nights, and we’re very well aware that he’s lulled us into a false sense of confidence so when we decide to have another baby, it won’t sleep a wink. Ever. We know.

My baby is the single best thing I have ever done in my life. I made him.

When he was born, he was a tiny, warm, snuggly lump of sweetness. I was utterly in love with him from the moment we met. Just when my lack of sleep or routine started catching up with me, he smiled. And not just because he farted. He smiled at me. My heart grew larger at that moment. And just like that, it felt like every single day he was doing something new. Slowly but surely, he became less of a potato, and more of the toddler he is today. Slowly but surely, my heart grows larger with every new milestone, because he’s becoming who he will be.

I worried so much, in the days leading up to his birth, that I wouldn’t be enough. I can see now, though, that I am exactly the Mom he needs. Hell no, I’m not perfect. Not a soul on earth is. But, you know what? I’m doing my best. I’m doing my best every day to be sure he is engaged, stimulated and above all else: LOVED.

My baby is the single best thing I have ever done in my life. I made him. From scratch.

We still don’t know what he’s passionate about, besides green beans, or where his interests lie, besides snuggling the cats and dog fiercely, whether they appreciate it or not, or what he’ll want to spend his free time doing, besides clicking his tongue to the turn signal in the car, but right now, we know he’s our Sweet Squishy.

Our lives have been changed for the better since he arrived. Our patience, stamina, and perseverance has been tested and will continue to be tested forevermore. But we’ll take it. One year in, I can safely say I love being his Mommy. I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the whole wide world. Because my baby is the single best thing I have ever done in my life. I made him. From scratch.

So tomorrow: Happy Birthday to you, August.

And: Happy Birth Day to me, your Mommy.

❤