Happy Birthday!

Wow! Has one year passed us by already? Time as flown and we are now celebrating the day that TJ came into this world as well as all that time that has passed since then.

The day started at 6:00 am with a "aaaah-ahhhh-ahhh" coming from the birthday boy's room. He was up and he clearly saw what the birthday fairy left for him overnight: three colorful balloons. Mommy greeted him with video camera in hand and sung her best rendition of "happy birthday"-- morning voice and all.

TJ also got to open the birthday present that grandma sent him: a singing birthday Elmo. He is a little unsure about this bright red creature, but he did seem very pleased that he knew how to make Elmo sing again and again and again.

All other birthday festivities: cake, silly hats, cards, more presents have been placed on hold until next week. Unfortunately on TJs first birthday both mom and dad had to be in different places. Dad is in New Jersey and Mom is at Cornell reunioning.

We are sorry that we could not do your first birthday "right", TJ. Sometimes life gets in the way of these things. But don't think for a minute that we have not thought about how special you are and how our lives have changed for the better since you entered our world at 6:50 pm on June 7th, 2007. You will always know this day as your birthday. Over time, it will come to mean different things for you: parties, presents, cake, friends, sleep overs, driver's licenses, an opportunity to vote, an opportunity to drink (legally), and even then to the years that you really do not want your birthday to count. Trust me.

But my wonderful, most precious son, I will always remember and celebrate this day as the day that I was initiated into "mommyhood" (however painful that initiation was) and how your daddy and I received such an amazing and precious gift from God.

Today I celebrate you and how much you have grown in your first year of life. And each year, on this day we will remember and laugh together as family does and let you know how much we love you and are blessed to have you in our lives.

Happy Birthday, TJ.