Dear Charlie

It hardly seems possible that just one week ago we celebrated your very first birthday. So many people tell me how fast the time goes, and now I know just how true it is.

Your daddy and I waited for you for so long and went through a lot to have you — and now you’re here and you’re growing and you’re thriving, and I don’t know if I can remember our lives without you. Or maybe I just don’t want to. One of the things you should know about your mother is that I am a pretty spiritual person. I don’t go to church as regularly as I should or would like to, but I do pray, and I don’t think a day has gone by in this past year when I haven’t prayed a simple prayer of thanks for having you in my life.

You are a happy, healthy, beautiful little girl. I remember wondering if I would really feel that maternal attachment, that bond. But I worried for nought, as I fell in love with you the moment I heard your first cry. (Not all mothers immediately go there; it’s often assumed they do.) I think your daddy did, too. Because you were a C-section baby, he got to see you first and came to me and said, “Yep, that’s my kid.”

You still remain happy and good-natured most of the time. Although I won’t lie — you’re a terrible sleeper and napper. We are working on that. You obviously didn’t get your mommy’s sleep-loving ways. I think you are just too busy to sleep and don’t want to miss anything. You are in constant motion these days and love to pull things out of drawers, so our house is constantly a mess, but I don’t mind. You’re a fussy eater, even though your Nonnie doesn’t think so. It’s not that you’re picky about what you eat, but just about when. Sometimes you gobble your food right down, and other times you’re just not interested.

You have just four teeth right now, but you are a biter. And you think it’s pretty funny when you teethe on my collar bone or bite my cheek. You are lovable and will go to most anyone. I love it when I pick you up from daycare and when you first see me, you smile and say “mama” and come running toward me. And you always have the biggest smile for daddy when he walks in the door, although you haven’t quite mastered the word “dada” yet. You like to say “bye-bye” and wave.