Liam Is One Year Old

And we danced.

This past year has been jam-packed full of activity, with both kids. Packed in a great way. Today Liam turned one year old. I don’t know where the time went! It seems just yesterday we were heading to the hospital, Doug VERY ill, me in labor, our lives about to change once again, our family about to grow by one.

Fast forward to today. Liam woke up as he normally does, in his own cheerful way, with his sweet, sweet smile. When I mentioned to Ava that it was Liam’s birthday, she gave him a big birthday hug and kiss. Tonight we had a homemade baby-friendly carrot cake (with a homemade three-tiered miniature smash cake for Liam). Liam enjoyed every bite. He loved the balloon of Elmo’s face and the birthday cards. He liked the little cars we gave to him.

I honestly can say that I don’t think I’ve ever met a baby as genuinely happy as Liam. We sent him and big sister Ava off to school for the day, something they haven’t done in a few weeks.

Stats at 12 months:
Length: 31 inches (80th percentile)
Weight: 25 lbs 6 oz (80th percentile)
Head circumference: 19.02 inches (92nd percentile)

As you can see, Liam is a big guy! And he leans so far away from us when we carry him, that it makes him seem even bigger than he is... :-) He is really getting around well these days, and seems to have a new bump or bruise every day, as proof of his independence. :-) (Even though I could be holding him in my lap and he would find a way to bring on a new scrape of some sort).

With his “roll-with-the-punches” demeanor, he handles everything in stride. I’ve told Doug in the past that I think Liam will be content with whatever comes his way in life, and will handle even monumental tasks as if they are no big deal. I am so thankful for this, and consider it a gift.

To be truthful, I don’t often cry. (At least I don’t think I do. :-)) Last night, while holding a sleeping Ava on my chest, I quietly cried. The kids have an instrumental lullaby cd that we play each night at bedtime. One of the songs on the CD is Pachabel’s Canon D.

In 1997, Doug recorded himself in a friend's studio, playing Canon D on guitar. I walked down the aisle to his recording of the song on our wedding day. Doug played it to Ava when she was still in my belly, before she was born. Last night, I saw Ava content and resting on me. I heard the song playing upstairs in Ava and Liam's room. I thought of our soundly-sleeping and healthy, happy, about-to-turn one year-old sleeping in his crib. The world was right. And so I realize how insurmountably we are blessed in our lives. I cried.

Tonight, when tucking Ava in, Liam woke up. I picked him up from his crib. Of course the same song played on the cd player at that moment. And so we danced, Liam and I, in the middle of their bedroom. My mind fast-forwarded to his wedding day, where he might dance once again with his aging, proud and beaming Mom.

And until then, I pray that we dance every day.

Peace, love and ONE big birthday candle,
Mama, Daddy, Ava and Liam