River Flynn,

It’s over just like that. Year one is gone and I am 100% sure something went wrong in time. You have made every single moment magical and I am going into overdrive trying to keep you little. You are always the happiness in the room. Everyone manages to break out their arms open wide to be the next to hold you the instant they spot you. I grew up with little bald baby dolls and dreamed of the day I’d have one and well, here you are! We are celebrating when Dolly and Nono get to town and I promise to add all of the beautiful photos and a little blurp about the day when it comes. Until then, I’ll update you on all of the joys that make you – you.

You’re my good eater. You love bananas, yogurt, all things carb and protein, and milk like it’s the blood that runs through you. Milk in a bottle. I’ll work on that but not hard bc again, the whole baby thing. You took your first steps for Ms. Lesley at school on Tuesday (bday eve) but I choose to believe she’s lying and that the ones you took today were the first. It’s on now. You’re going to take off and break my heart I’m sure of it. You took almost four steps from the coffee table to my arms and I realized that you truly are a year old! I’m so proud of you nugget. So so incredibly proud. The extra “so” was thrown in because you are SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT OFFICIALLY! I’m calling it. It’s officially official. you may wake once in a blue moon for a paci or extra pat but all in all you’re hitting the mattress with a bang these days, figuratively speaking of course.

This year has been a whirlwind of joy. It’s hard having two under one roof and to be honest it hasn’t been our peak when it comes to grown up life stuff. It’s been a hard Jones Family year, but somehow you were the greatest distraction of them all. Jesus knew what we had coming and that someone just like you would make it doable. We wake up each day with infinite joy and we are all better because you were born. Sheppard truly adores you. I smile watching him interact with you and feel so much pride knowing that I gave you both a buddy for life. Treasure that friendship. It’s my most prized possession to have your Dolly and I know that you will both feel the same. Let’s take on year two a bit slower, but with all the enthusiasm we can bc no matter how hard I try to stop you, you are growing up to be just what Jesus created you to be. And well, I just couldn’t smile harder at that if I tried.

Love,

the mommy who adores the very ground ground you walk on

Xx