Heartfelt Letter to My Son, Judah, on His First Birthday

Dear Judah,

Happy Birthday Judah Bear! Today you are one, which means we have had the pleasure of knowing and loving you for 365 days.  However, even if we had forever it wouldn’t be long enough.  You’re just that easy to love!

It’s so funny that God showed us so much of your personality and character even before you were born. When you were in my tummy, you were the calmest baby.  So calm, that honestly sometimes I wondered if you were ok lol.  Now I know that you were just in there relaxing and keeping cozy, just like you do now!  And your birth story – well I’ll tell you more about that later, but just know you definitely took your time to be born.  The doctors and nurses were worried about how long mommy had been in labor, but you didn’t show one sign of distress. Now that I know you, I know you were probably taking a nap!  That’s just part of who you are. 

Once you were finally born and I got to hold you to my chest for the first time, it was all worth it and I would do it all over again for even longer.  I felt the same with your sister and brother, and I wondered if holding my 3^rdbaby for the first time would have the same effect on me. Well I can tell you, it was like I had been waiting for you my whole life, little one!  My purpose in life was renewed the first time I saw you and I am so grateful to be your mama.

Since the moment you entered the world, you have always looked at life through those handsome brown eyes like you can see something the rest of the world can’t.  Everyone always comments on your pensive stare – like you are looking deep into the hearts of the people around you.  And I bet that you are!  

God has created you to do great things buddy – to lead people and to love and serve them.  Your name literally means “Praise!”  And that is something that your daddy and I have prayed over you since before you were born – that you will ALWAYS remember to give God praise in all things.  That you, my son, will walk with God for all of your days, never falter or be far from his presence.  That is our prayer for you!

I never want to forget the things you love, because you love so many things!  You love to play with your brother and sister’s toys. We buy you your own, but I get it – baby toys are boring!  You love cars and books, chewing on number two pencils, and quietly sneaking to suck on mommy and daddy’s phone cords.  I literally can’t count how many chargers you’ve drowned in your little mouth! 

You also love music, just like your name suggests.  I love to watch you dance to “If You’re Happy & You Know It, Clap Your Hands” and “Church Gone Wild” haha.  You LOVE all food! We haven’t found anything that you don’t like yet.  You also love your family.  I’m sure none of us will forget the open-mouthed wet kisses that you so often give.  You are so lovable and sweet and molded into our family like you had always been there. Even your brother, at only 1.5 years old when you were born, fell so quickly and deeply for his “Dudah!”  Seriously? I am one blessed mama!

And the few things that you don’t like, I can’t say that I blame you.  Much to your daddy’s chagrin, you refuse to wear all of the cute shoes he buys you.  You don’t like being restrained in a swing or Jumperoo or behind a baby gate.  That’s right baby – let no one limit you! And I’m sure if you could choose, you would only sleep in between daddy and me for the rest of your life, but I’m currently working out a plan to fix that lol. Even your dislikes have just become quirks about you that we love – and I wouldn’t change one thing about you!

While I write this as you nap, I know that I’m on borrowed time before you wake up and realize that no one is sleeping next to you. But since I know that nothing lasts forever, I promise to relish every cuddle, every nursing session, and every sleepless night. Stay little just a little while longer, sweet baby.  I know all too well how quickly these days pass.  

There are so many things I could say about you and all of the things about you that I love.  I probably could write a whole book about being your mama and I just might one day.  But today, I just celebrate you baby boy.  Judah, I love you and you mean the world to me.  Happy 1^stBirthday and thank you Jesus for choosing me to be his mom!

Love,

Your Mommy