Happy Birthday, Benjamin!

Exactly one year ago at this time we were on our way to the hospital.  Little did we know (though we had our suspicions it would be pretty fast) that not long after we arrived we would be meeting our sweet Ben.  As if time could have gone by any faster, the past year has moved at warp speed.  This has been, without question, the most challenging year of my life.  Adding a second baby feels like it quadrupled the work load rather than doubling it.  Finding a new routine when our old one seemed to be working so well, making individual time for two people who constantly want undivided attention, returning to that helpless baby state after moving to the fairly independent toddler stage all have been challenges for me.  But the most difficult part of this year has been Ben's lack of sleep.  I swear I have aged a dozen years.  My patience has been tested, my fortitude tried.  But the greatest rewards come in the wake of the most trying times.

How Ben's presence has enriched our lives.  With his easy laugh and his infectious smile.  Much easier going than his sister, he himself has the patience of a saint to tolerate her shenanigans.  Baby time is all too fleeting.  I have complained about how difficult this year has been, sure, but I would not trade a single second of it for anything.  Those chubby baby hands reaching high into the air and Ben's little voice saying "Mama" clear as day make up for all the sleepless nights, the napless days.  I cannot imagine a time when Ben wasn't here.  Ben is surely his own little person, carving out his own place in our family and in this world, and I cannot wait to see what happens during his second year.

Happy birthday, love!

one week

one month

two months

three months

four months

five months

six months

seven months

eight months

nine months

ten months

eleven months

twelve months!

Have you ever seen a more handsome birthday boy?

Coming soon are pictures and news from Ben's awesome birthday party Sunday.  And, hopefully, a side by side comparison of Ben and Nat monthly pictures from their first years.  All kinds of fun.