Feeling Sentimental

In less than an hour it will be my baby's birthday. I simply cannot believe it has been a year since the precious day that he was born. He has changed our lives in so many wonderful ways. I sometimes can't even believe I ever went a day without seeing his sweet face. Tonight as I was putting him to bed I was feeling so sentimental. I gave him hugs and kisses and told him this was his last night I would put him to bed as my little baby boy, because tomorrow he would be my big boy. I'll probably always think of him as my baby though, at least in some small way. It's like one of my favorite books says, "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as you're living my baby you'll be" (but I say for eternity my baby you'll be).

These are a few things I was reminiscing tonight:

At this time one year ago I was in the hospital waiting for my labor to progress while Joseph was telling me jokes trying to entertain me during the wait.

I remember holding Austin for the first time. I realized I was letting out a few tears without even knowing it as I held that precious gift from our Heavenly Father. I couldn't believe how perfect he was, and I couldn't believe he was ours.

I have loved watching him grow. I love to watch him learn new things. I love to hear his sweet voice and his cute little laugh. He is so pleasant and just a joy to be around. I feel so spoiled to have such a well tempered baby, he really does make life pretty easy for me.

I love watching him love his daddy. They are best buddies and I love watching them have fun together. I even love that Joseph has a way of putting him to sleep that I just don't have, only sometimes wish I had that same talent too.

People told me that having a baby would change my life. I thought I was prepared for what that "change" would entail, but I must admit that I had no idea the extreme joy and the deepness of love this change would bring.

I love you, Austin. I am so thankful Heavenly Father let me be your mother. I will do all I can tomorrow to make your birthday happy, but for the next 43 minutes, I'm going to just love you as my precious little baby.