My Liam

Dear Liam,

It's hard to believe that your first birthday has come and gone! You are almost 15 months old. While you were our unexpected surprise, I know that you were always meant to be. I am so happy you came along when you did...I didn't know our family was missing someone until I met you.

Liam-um (as Michael says), you are my little bear. You may be big physically but you are totally a mamma's boy. I must admit I love that about you. Your smile lights up a room and your happy chuckle is so contagious- it always brings me so much happiness. You always seem to have a twinkle in your eye and a mischievous grin. You have a great sense of humor. The sweetness of your face is something I will always treasure. You make Daddy laugh all of the time and he has the hardest time correcting you without letting a smile slip out.

You adore your brother (and he adores you!), yet you are your own person and your personality always comes shining through. You will definitely give Michael a run for his money in the very near future. Watching you and Michael bond as brothers is a gift and I am so glad that you two compliment each other. Of course you don't always get along...but you do genuinely have fun together. While I was pregnant with you, I often worried about how I would handle caring for you and your brother. I didn't want either of you to feel left out, even for a minute. As soon as you were born, you were a perfect fit. Thank goodness you are a patient baby because heaven knows you have done your share of waiting!

I call you my bear mainly because of your little bear voice. You have a deeper voice than Michael and it has a very boy quality to it. I love the sound of the noises you make when you wake up in the morning and listening to you babble. I love hearing you join in singing with Michael. You are already doing or starting to do many things such as: trying to count and say your ABCs...sing Twinkle Twinkle, Row-Row-Row, Baby Face, among others...recite parts of "No more monkeys jumping on the bed"...PattyCake...and lots of other things like that--mostly thanks to your brother teaching them to you in his own way.

You are my joy each and every day. I can't wait to see what discoveries you make tomorrow. As one of your favorite books says, "Baby cakes, baby cakes, I love you...Baby cakes, baby cakes, yes I do!".

Love,
Mommy