Happy Birthday, McCoy!

Dear McCoy,
You came into this world one year ago but you entered my life much earlier than that.  The moment I found out you were growing as a part of me, I fell in love with you.  The moment I first saw your little body, which was the size of a piece of rice, my heart jumped for joy.  The first time I heard your speedy, little heartbeat, my heartbeat raced with excitement.  The first time I saw your profile, I was overcome with happiness.  When I found out you were a boy, my heart started to create that mother-son relationship.  The moment I first felt you kick, I felt your soul come to life.  And the first time I saw your beautiful face, my life started over.  I had a new purpose for living.  I had a new purpose for loving.

As I reflect on the last year, I want to take a snapshot of your personality and quirks.  I want to remember all the little details photography and video can't catch.  I want to hold on to my baby boy.

McCoy, you have bright red hair that seems to brighten every day.  It doesn't get lighter, it seems to get more red.  And to match your fire red hair is a feisty temper!  When you don't get your way, can't reach a toy, or we take something away from you, you throw your head back and scream with discontent.  "Give it back, NOW!!" you seem to scream.

One thing that makes you Mr. McCoy is your facial expressions.  Ever since Day 1, you have a very focused look about you-- taking it all in, questioning life's mysteries with your eyes.  Along with your squinting eyes, your eyebrows squish together in an inquisitive look.  I know you will constantly ask "Why?', "What if?", "How come?" and retain all of the answers.  Even a serious person laughs occasionally, but you have to really buy into what we are doing, or saying.  A simple tickle, peak-a-boo, or silly song won't make you giggle.  Smile, yes but you don't dare laugh.  You are much to sophisticated for that nonsense!  You mother and father try very hard, though.  And when you do let down your guard, you have such a great time!

After dinners, we have a bath.  No matter where you are in the house, we turn on the bath water and you come running to the tub!  You even try and hoist your legs over the sides to climb in!  Sometimes with all your clothes on still!  We get you undressed and you start to pat your naked belly like you are thanking us for the great meal.

You can blow kisses and give high fives.  You can speak Spanish (ha!) with this awesome gargle and rolling your tongue.  You can bear crawl with an amazing speed.  But you can walk as well.  You LOVE to be outside!  Your teachers at daycare say you get upset when other kids are outside playing and you are stuck inside.  Along with outside, comes dirt and rocks-- your other two favorite things.  You like to line up all the rocks on a ledge and drop them from up above.  You pick up leaves and twirl them between your thumb and pointer finger, making sure you are careful not to crunch them.  Boxes are a favorite toy as well as the pots and pans and your favorite cupboard-- Tubberware!!  Recently you have started to take out all the cookie sheets, muffin pans and cake pans and really enjoy making noise!  You also love to play the piano!  This makes your momma and papa very happy!  We love for you to come over and play piano for us while we are sitting in the living or working in the kitchen (except for when you insist on playing during Momma's piano lessons!).

You are an excellent eater!  You also nurse like a champ!  I can put any food in front of you and trust that you will at least try it.  Not very many times have you refused to eat something.  That is so wonderful, McCoy!  We don't like picky eaters, and you are FAR from that!

You absolutely hate getting your diaper changed, unless we change it other than the changing table.  You like to squirm around and twist your body so we put the diaper on crocked.  It makes for some screamy diaper changes!

McCoy, you have changed my life so much- more than I could have every dreamed.  I think about you every single minute of the day, especially when we are away from each other.  I have never spent a night away from you because I know I will miss you too much.  I love you with all of my heart.  I also love you with every part of my body, even my toes and fingers and eyelashes.  McCoy, Happy Birthday!  You are one!