Happy Birthday Jack!

Dear Jack,

Happy First Birthday! I cannot believe that a year has gone by since you were born. You came 15 days before you were due, and I was so happy to meet you. You have been the sweetest, happiest, easiest baby since the day you were born. Everywhere we go, people comment on what a happy boy you are!

You have learned so much this year! You hated to play on your stomach for tummy time, and I swore you would never sit up by yourself. Boy, was I wrong. Not only did you sit up before either of your brothers did, you also crawled and walked well before them. You walk or run everywhere now - there's no stopping you! You love to be in the tub or the swimming pool. You splash like crazy! You'll splash anywhere -- a bowl of water, a dog bowl, the toilet, the sink . . . any water source is good for splashing.

You are trying really hard to talk. Right now most of your communication comes out in shrieks. Loud, loud, loud ear piercing shrieks. It drives your daddy crazy! You will say, Uh-Oh, Mama, Dada and Dodo, which means dog. You babble all day long, and you're trying really hard to talk to your brothers. You also make a really funny noise when you get excited. You will suck your breath in really fast and loud, and it makes a squeaking sound. You do this the most when you see Grampy. You really, really love Grampy!

You love to play with your brothers. They are slowly allowing you to do so. Henry is more open at this point to playing with you. He tells you all the time how cute you are, he tries to pick you up and carry you around, and he loves to give you hugs and kisses. David thinks you are so cute, and he introduces you to everyone. He doesn't want you to play with his toys because he thinks you will wreck his train tracks, eat his toys, or "mess up" his stuff. He likes to play with you in your room, cooking in your kitchen and reading you books. You love to do anything with your brothers. They make you laugh a big belly laugh.

You eat all table food now. You have a lot of favorites: crackers, cheese, lasagna, spaghetti, cereal, oatmeal, scrambled eggs, applesauce, mandarin oranges, chicken, bananas, turkey, graham crackers, yogurt, hot dogs, potatoes. . . your list goes on and on. You will try anything. The only things you really don't like so far are green beans and grapes. You had your first cupcake today and you LOVED it!

Daddy and I are so proud of you and what a good boy you are. You are getting so big, and you make our days more fun. You are such a sweet, smiley, happy boy. We couldn't have asked for a better baby to make us be a family of five. Happy Birthday sweet Jack! We love you!