Dear Ian

Dear Ian,

You truly are our gift from heaven! In some ways, Mommy and Daddy have been so sad to see this year draw to a close. We have loved your little baby kisses and hugs, the times you have spent cuddling with us as you nursed or had your bottle, your laughter, and your delight as you discover and learn about the world around you. In so many ways, this has been such a sweet year - a time for Mommy and Daddy to just enjoy each other and to enjoy you.

And enjoy you we have. There is nothing that has brightened our days more than to see you smile and hear your laugh. We have gone out of our way, looking completely ridiculous in the process, to find things that will make you laugh. Your cute little baby giggles flow easily and unhindered at just about anything we do, warming our hearts and cheering us on hard days. Your little bitty heart flows with sweetness and you have won many a smile from strangers as you greet them with your own infectious grin (and often a hug too!). There have been many days where Mommy could hardly get through the grocery store with you because you drew people to you with your smile and giggle as we made our way down the aisles. They couldn't help but stop to soak in a little bit of your precious innonence before continuing on their way. More people have commented on your beautiful blue eyes than we could even begin to count and we pray that God's light will shine through them all of your days.

Tomorrow you will be one year old. We can hardly believe it! From this point on, the world out there gets rougher and less friendly. Our deepest prayer for you as you become a toddler and grow into boyhood is that you know beyond a shadow of a doubt how precious you are, not only in our eyes, but in the eyes of the One who created you and calls you beloved. From the very beginning, as we prayed about starting a family, we have had enormous peace that God's perfect timing for you was now. We encountered many obstacles and lots of adversity along the way, but never once did God's reassurance that His hand was on your very existence ever falter. He wanted you here, dear baby boy, just as much as we did. He provided for you in ways that amazed us. He let us experience hard times to learn to lean on Him and to cherish you all the more. In fact, the name Ian means "God is gracious". May you always know how gracious your heavenly Father is and personally know Him in such a way that you never doubt how much He cares for you.

To be honest, baby boy, you have such fire in you that the idea of raising you in the way you should go promises to be nothing less than a very interesting journey. Mommy, who used to think she knew all about children, has learned over this last year how very little she actually knows. It is a good thing you have such a strong, kind-hearted Daddy who will lead you and guide in the things you need to grow to be a man. God has blessed you and I tremendously by making Daddy your Daddy and my husband. We're so looking forward to the next several years and all the adventures to come.

With all our love,
Mommy and Daddy

Happy 1st Birthday, baby boy!