Arlo Henry,
Today you are one! How on earth did this happen?
You have changed from an eating/crying/snuggly baby-blob into a little man. I’ll be honest with you – I was unsure about this whole having a son business. No one told me what a charmer boys could be. No one told me you would look at me with eyes that say you worship me. I’m grateful you think I’m a goddess and will try my best to lengthen your state of delusion.
I’m thankful for so much about you that it’s difficult to put into words. I love that you:
-eat (well, usually inhale) whatever food I put in front of you.
-are adventurous and busy and independent.
-still like to cuddle and turn to me for a source of comfort. When you put your head on my shoulder, or give me one of your famous bear hugs, I melt.
I love that you are outgoing and enjoy meeting new people. Most strangers say one of two things about you: “He looks like such a little man!” or “He’s such a happy little guy.” And you are. Smiley. Laid-back. A charmer all-around.
In the future you won’t be able to: look up the exact date you got your first tooth; see the times down to the minute of your night wakings; hold a plaster rendering of your tiny hand; or thumb through as many baby pictures as your sister will. These things don’t prove that I have slightly more love for Elliot than you. They prove that you have already taught me more than I’ve taught you. You’ve taught me to relax and enjoy every moment, instead of record-keeping and obsessively collecting mementos. The fact that I give you countless kisses and laugh with you every day is proof that I love you more than you’ll probably ever know.
This year, you will start saying things beyond “mama”, “dada”, and “uh-oh!” You will gain more confidence in your walking. You will continue changing before my disbelieving eyes. There are things I will miss about baby Arlo. Every time I put you and your sister to bed, I feel like I’m saying goodbye to a person who will disappear overnight - that person is replaced by a slightly older version of you who smiles at me from your morning crib. But, I’m also excited to see the person you’ll become. I don’t mind that you keep growing up, I just hope the things that I see in your core don’t change – a gentle, loving spirit, an insatiable curiosity, and an old soul hiding behind your young, shining eyes.
Well, now I’m all weepy. But they’re happy tears - happy because I get the chance to be a mother to a son. Especially since that son is you. I’m so proud and lucky to be your mama.
Happy birthday, sweet boy.
Happy Birthday little man! Hope you have a great first day at your new school. They are going to love you!
It’s not a delusion Andi, you are a goddess. I feel the same way about saying goodnight to my big baby. They seem to change overnight and I miss her when she’s sleeping.
Happy Birthday sweet boy!
Aw, happy birthday to your little man!
Happy birthday big boy! You are a lucky man - you have a very loving mama!!
Happy birthday to a handsome little boy!
that boy is DELICIOUS!
happy birthday, arlo.
Happy Birthday Arlo!!! Have a wonderful day!
Happy Birthday Arlo Henry!
Looks like he enjoys cake
And when did he turn so BLONDE?!
Oh, and I demand more pictures.
The hug you gave me at your party was priceless. Our whole extended family adores you and Elliot. Thank-you for enriching our world. Happy First!!
happy birthday!!
ps. he’s WAY too cute!!!
Happy Birthday, Little Dude.
(Andi, please stop making me cry. It ruins my mascara.)
Happy birthday little dude! Great teeth - I can see why Ms. Right and Lefty are glad to be single again.
Have a great first day back Andi.
“I was unsure about this whole having a son business. No one told me what a charmer boys could be. No one told me you would look at me with eyes that say you worship me.”
This is SO true, and exactly how I felt when I had a son. I agree with every word of this about how wonderful boys can be, and how sad it is to see them (it does feel like overnight, it really does) grow up so fast.
Happy Birthday Arlo! Hold onto that magical baby boy charm.
This was a beautiful first birthday tribute…the best I think i’ve ever read!
Happy birthday, Arlo!
Awesome pic, and how cool will this be for him to read later ?
Happy 1st little Arlo!
*sniff* I’ll comment as soon as I’m able to see clearly. Something seems to have gotten in my eye and made my contacts go all wonky. *boo hoo*
(Happy Birthday Arlo!)
So beautiful. *sniff* here, too.
Aw, Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday, Arlo!
Dang, Andi, you got yourself some good lookin’ kids.
oh happy, happy birthday mr arlo
and how sweet is your letter mama?? i am weepy too! the part about putting him down and feeling like you are saying goodbye to a person who will disappear overnight!! oh you just had to pull on my heart strings even more!!
he is one lucky little boy to have such a sweet and loving mama!
Happy Birthday to Arlo!
HE IS SO CUTE I WANT TO EAT HIM. NOM, NOM, NOM.
Okay, this is getting out of control. I’m CRYING now. I AM NOT HORMONAL. SHUT UP.
(maybe I am)
Girl, you know I LOVE this post! Sons are awesome.
I hope Arlo has a rockin’ birthday and that both of you have a lovely year
Oh he’s so sweet! What a great post.
Made me teary about my own little Bear.
K can you send all your readers to my blog so I get some freaking comments over there!!???
Anyway, you made me teary. I feel the same way when I put my kids to bed. I’m so happy to come in in the morning and see that Isaac is still a baby.
His sweet core will just become more so, beautiful job mama.
Arlo thanks everyone for their birthday wishes. And he apologizes for his sadistic mother who sort of enjoys making people cry.
I think my very favorite thing about blogging is what we can write to our kids, here and now, and they can see how much of our world they are.
So, so sweet!
Happy belated birthday, Arlo!! Great photo!
Happy Belated Birthday!! Ahhh the joys of a Gemini in the house!
Happy Late Birthday! What a darling and handsome boy.
Happy Birthday, ARLO! He’s a beautiful one-year-old.