Happy Birthday, Little Oliver

Tomorrow, my precious baby turns one year old.  Last year at this time, I was as big as a house and so anxious to meet him, yet so nervous and scared at the same time.  Was I ready to be a mom of two?  Could I possibly love another child as much as I love Mason?

The answer turned out to be yes - completely, absolutely, unequivocally yes.  Along came Oliver, the one who would cause my heart to double in size in that first moment he laid on my chest.  And now, even at just one year old, his little personality amazes me every day.  He is fiery and strong-willed.  He has more resolve in his tiny fingers than most adults have in their entire bodies.  He has, more than once, driven me to tears with his sleeplessness and refusal to cooperate, but I am convinced that his unwillingness to conform and his unwavering determination will someday be his strongest attributes.

On the other hand, he is sweet and cuddly and charming.  He waves at old ladies and peeks around corners at strangers, getting smiles from everyone we talk to.  He adores his big brother and the cats and his daddy.  When he puts his head on my shoulder and is finally calm for a precious couple of minutes, my heart melts.

Happy birthday, Oliver.  Remembering your first year here in this crazy world will always, always, make me smile.