Jacob's First GOTCHA Day!

Today is a very special day in our household...it's the one-year anniversary of the day we brought Jacob home--or, as we like to refer to it--GOTCHA Day!

After we put the boys to bed this evening (Jacob with a raging double ear infection unfortunately), Keith and I watched the video of us meeting him for the first time. Unbelievable. His tiny little hands and fingers reaching up to us from the white wicker bassinet...melts. the. heart.

It's hard to believe that a year has flown by...like sands through an hour glass...THESE are the days of our lives. (Sorry to insert cheesy soap opera tag line) In an instant, those little fragile, 20 day old fingers have transformed into little mischievous boy hands. Hands that love to pull toilet paper off the roll, play "let's flush Mommy's cell phone" and think it's fun to feed food to the dog by dropping it off the side of the high chair. Those same little hands that were so new to me then, now delight my soul as they clap when he's happy, try to figure out how to fit a puzzle piece together or grasp my nose as we're enjoying some morning snuggle time.

In his first year, Jacob has met numerous friends and family, seen the mountains, the ocean, had three different home addresses, grown 5 teeth with a sixth on the way, learned to crawl, learned to walk and learned to say Dada and Mommmmmm-aaa very well.

*******

Jacob,

You have no idea how your presence has impacted this family for the better. You gave your Momma and Daddy a chance to see that their hearts could expand to love another child with the same passion that we love our first. And, you gave your brother more than a back seat mate. You gave him an adoring shadow and, most of all, a reason to be patient and protective (not to mention a future partner-in-crime!).

You are a determined and stubborn child when you are on a "mission." Although it can be frustrating as I try to steer you from objects or situations that could be harmful, I know that someday your tenacious spirit could benefit you, too. You are curious, energetic and pretty adaptable considering the roller coaster ride we've been on this year.

I celebrate the first year we had with you. You are a delight to be around (ear infection-induced whininess or not) and we could not be more lucky that God chose us to be your parents. You are a wonderful fit for your family and your toofy, drooly grin brings sunshine to my every day.

I love you more than you'll ever know.

Momma