Happy Birthday to my Boy

Birth Day

August 28, 2008

Dear Riley,  Two years ago I met you.  You were such a special miracle for Daddy and Mommy.
After losing four babies to miscarriage, one being your twin, Jeremiah, you were our first child to be born to us
since your sister, Sophia, almost four years prior.  Holding you in my arms was magical.
God had chosen to let Daddy and me hold you, kiss you, protect you, raise you.
I am forever grateful.

Almost One Year Old

August 27, 2009

Your first year of life was so fun.  You were a great baby!  You loved to nurse and you were a pretty great sleeper.
You didn't like teething so much, and suffered through quite a few nasty ear infections - but, overall, you were a
healthy, happy baby.  Though you were super happy, you were stoic and serious too!  One had to work hard to earn
your smiles!  :)  You loved trying to figure out how things worked and how to take things apart.  You loved discovering books!  

Almost Two Years Old

August 8, 2010

Your second year of life has been full of ups and downs.  Of course, the more you become a toddler,
the more you exert your will, the more Mommy and Daddy have to teach and guide you to make good choices,
and discipline you when you make bad choices.  But, for every moment spent in frustration, you make
up for it by giving us about a million joyful moments!  In this second year of life, you have come to love dancing,
love trucks, cars, planes - okay, anything with wheels that move!, guitars, music, reading, your pacis, your big sister and your little sister, your cousin Cora, dogs, running and climbing, tools and "fixing," and just recently you've learned how
to burzert and get quite a kick out of doing that to Mommy and Daddy!
In the last month or so of you being one your vocabulary has really started to explode and we are so enjoying
hearing you speak new words almost every day!  The best word you finally learned about 2 months ago was "Mom!"
The biggest struggle of the past year was discovering your allergy to milk protein and most likely some other foods.
We have learned, for the most part, what you can and cannot eat and have your allergy mostly under control.
You still suffer symptoms now and again, so we will continue to work with doctors to figure out just what all is bothering you!  The hardest part of all of this is knowing it causes you pain and discomfort.  I also feel sad
that you can't do some things that most kids get to do, i.e. eat pizza, go out for ice-cream, etc...
But, God is good and thankfully Mommy likes to cook and bake so I can make you plenty of yummy treats!

Riley, today we are celebrating YOU turning TWO!!!  I cannot believe this time has come.  We will be having a fun party with a guitar shaped cake and all!  I love you Riley.  I adore having you as my son and pray for you each day.
One of my favorite parts of you is that you carry my Grandpa's name as your own and each time your name is said,
my Grandpa, your Great-Grandpa - who held you and loved you, well, his legacy lives on.

Happy Birthday sweet Boy!

All my love,
Mommy