The First Year

Dear Michael,

Today marks a very special day in our family. This is your first birthday and there is much to celebrate. You came into this world a tiny baby with bright eyes and smiles. It's true, you started smiling at your daddy and me when you were just s few hours old. I didn't know that was possible. We swaddled you when you were cranky, gave you baths, nursed you through the night, and played with you until you finally fell asleep at the end of the day. This past year you have had 4 teeth come in, learned to walk, and learned how to say no fewer than 5 words. We are so proud of you already.

Today, Little Bright Eyes, we are going to celebrate your birthday with our family. We are going to have cake, and presents, and fun with the people that we hold most dear in our hearts. You are so loved, Michael Jefferson. Yesterday, when we took you to the pumpkin patch, and you climbed that big pyramid of hay with your daddy, I couldn't help but get a little teary-eyed, becuase you are growing up so fast. It won't be long before you tell us "I can do it myself now". 

Sometimes I watch you sleep and I pray you could stay a baby for just a little longer so I can hold on to you for just a little while more. There are a lot of things I want to share here on this blog, but I think I'm just going to leave it here. I love you Michael. Happy First Birthday.

Love, Mama

And Now, a Sweater

We have a lovely family that has grown exponentially over the last few years. There have been marriages, girlfriends, boyfriends, and now babies. It is a good time for the Headrick clan. Cousin Amy had her son, Liam, just a few weeks ago and is settling in (rather happily) into motherhood. He is a beautiful child with dark hair an bright eyes with all the innocence that comes along with being freshly born.

He is Michael's first cousin. A playmate and a little friend to grow up with, playing the games their parents played as youngsters and listening to the same stories of our family history. It will be a wonderful thing to watch. And, they can do it in what else but matching sweaters. Yes, my wool-loving friends, I have taken on another project for Christmas. It's shocking, I know, because the list of Christmas knits is already lengthy and there are only so many weeks to finish and....well, I decided that it doesn't matter.

So, here is a photo of the wee wooly. I'm hoping to finish this one by the end of the week and then start the second.

There have been several attempts at this pattern from Elizabeth Zimmerman. It is her Baby Surprise Jacket and this is the farthest I have ever gotten on any of those attempts. This time, I think it will actually make it to the end. It even looks like a sweater.....

Waiting....

For the past several months, we have all been anxiously awaiting the arrival of the second great-grandbaby and since last night, we are closer to meeting the little guy. Amy is now laboring and getting closer to meeting her son and we are all so excited about this. Babies do something strange to people.

They have this strong magic that pulls people to them. I think it's because they start out so fresh and new and innocent and represent everything that is good in this world. They have those irresistibly smooshy cheeks and itty-bitty toes and when they smile and giggle it is like music to the soul.

They are perfect and precious. And the best thing about it all?

You can put them in something wooly and wee and warm and they are too young to put up a fuss.

I love you cousin Amy and I can hardly wait to meet your son. Welcome to the terrifying, exciting, most amazing club you will ever be a part of. Welcome to Motherhood.