Happy First Birthday, Charlie

When I look back at the past year it is impossible to believe Charlie is already one.  Hasn't Charlie always been in our family?  How could he possibly have weighed only 7 pounds one year ago?  Just twelve months ago he was so helpless, relying on us to meet his every need.  Now he bounces around, asks for his "ba ba", calls for Mama and DaDa, grabs food off our plates, climbs, runs, jumps on the bed... I could go on and on.  His personality is really starting to shine.  Charlie loves pulling Pyrex dishes out of the cupboards, helping me sweep the floor (usually after throwing his dinner on the floor), showing us that he's one with his pointer finger, and giving hugs.  He's quickly becoming adventurous and doesn't fear standing on the couch or trying to wiggle down the stairs.  He still loves people and will give anyone a hug.  He brightens the day of everyone who he encounters.  I can't remember life before Charlie.  I was thinking back to the day he was born and the moment Chaz and I first saw him, or rather he saw us. He looked at us quietly with these huge, wide eyes.  After a few seconds passed he opened his mouth to let out a cry and the deepest dimples I've ever seen formed on his cheeks.  Myself and a nurse in the room gasped and exclaimed, "those dimples!" at the same time.  In an instant I fell in love like I've never felt before.  I would give my life for this person whom I had just met.  Throughout the past year that love has only grown.  I feel so blessed to be your mother, Charlie.  I will let the pictures from this month tell the story.  We had a wonderful birthday party for him.  I went with a baseball theme complete with peanuts, Cracker Jacks, and "bunt" cakes.  We are so thankful for our families who love Charlie so much.  We are deeply blessed.