Happy Birthday Sam!

My baby boy is 1 year old tomorrow! I can't believe how quickly this year had passed. Sometimes it feels like he was just born yesterday, but at the same time it feels like Sam has just always been a part of our family. I'm amazed at how much he's grown and how he's changed. I remember with such clarity how Scott and I prayed for this child. I remember how heartbroken we were when we lost our first two pregnancies and how grateful we felt for the chance to have this baby. I still feel that way. There is a sweetness to this parenthood experience because of the struggle that carrying our babies was.

Sam is in a constant stage of movement right now. He's always getting into something and he explores everything. He loves to open and close doors, play with Lady Bird and eat cheerios. He can say "mama," "dada", "all done" and "Lady". He waves bye bye and can sign about three different words. He's literally running around the house. He's had one "big boy" haircut.

Sam is such a loved baby. The other night we had friends over and I sat back for a minute and watched them interact with Sam. There was always someone helping to watch him - Sam is so blessed to have these surrogate aunts and uncles. His family has also visited him all year. Aunt Jodie and Uncle Bear, Honey Wheat and Papa Tom, Nana and Pops...they've all been to visit and we talk to them almost daily. Oh and talking on the phone - Sam (just like his Daddy) loves cell phones.

We love this boy so much!

Here are some of my favorite pictures from this year...

Sam at 11 months:

Sam at 10 months:

Sam at 7 months:

Sam at 6 months (this was a Sunday morning and we'd just gotten kicked out of the church nursey for being so fussy....Scott had to run the cameras so Sam and I came home and had a photo shoot...He was an angel as soon as we left church! )

Sam at 5 months:

Sam at about 6 weeks:

Sam at about 3 weeeks:

"Sons are a heritage of the Lord, children a blessing from Him" Psalm 127:3