Happy happy birthday to our firstborn son.
Kolbe Christopher,
Since you surprised us two weeks early and surprised us again (you were a Little Man!!), you have only continued to bring joy and love into our lives.
My post-partum with you was not my easiest (emotionally), but you have been a constant source of smiles and baby sweetness, which has helped tremendously. You make all the hard days easier, and the dark days brighter. When I'm tempted to think I'm not a good enough, perfect enough, got-it-together-enough mom, you are there with that joyous smile and crinkly eyes that reminds me that none of that matters.
God didn't put me here to be perfect.
He put me here to love.
To love Him.
To love your daddy.
To love your sisters.
And to love you, precious, wonderful you.
Oh my goodness, why are you trying to be so big?? Stop growing so fast, you are my BABY!!
On the morning of your birthday, Little Man, we went for a nice hike together in the mountains. More on that in another post, but here's your sneak peak. As always you are a joy to be around.
After we arrived home from the hike, your dad and I worked diligently on your cake. We figured our Little Bison, Colorado Boy needed some mountains and trees and a big ol' campfire to make his birthday cake complete.
Rugged and beautiful.
After a manly dinner of meat and potatoes (and veggies!), we had another family over to celebrate you. We didn't want it to be overdone or overwhelming. We just wanted it to be fun and to celebrate the joy you bring to all our lives.
It was perfect. Megan (who came to my aide when I went into labor with you) took all sorts of pictures, which I treasure already. She caught your multi-faceted, though still nearly always joyful personality and she captured some sweet moments with your dad and I in them as well.
You were pretty excited by your cake. The fire anyway. ha.
Getting a little camera shy for a brief second as everyone sings.
Help from Mommy and Daddy
And you are holding the lighter....oh boy.
Your dad and I are still trying to get the hang of being boy parents, even a year later (and I'm sure for the rest of our lives). But we sure are enjoying it thus far.
We love your silly smiles and your tongue sticking out. We love the light in your eyes when you are tickled about something, anything. We love the sense of wonder in your eyes when you are seeing something for the first time. We love the way you clap your hands excitedly and the way you laugh when you know you are getting into something you shouldn't.
Kolbe, you are a total ham. You crack yourself (and all of us) up.
And then it was time to open some presents. Peter insisted on getting you a Broncos football. This is a Bengals house, but the Broncos aren't a team we adamantly dislike, and you loved that football from the moment you laid eyes on it.
I mean, this is seriously the cutest thing ever.
Son, we are so thrilled to have you in our family and to celebrate ONE YEAR of your precious life this side of the womb. You are so full of life and love and joy. It shines through in everything you do, even at so young an age.
I mentioned that the year has been a tough one in various ways for me. But I cannot imagine what it would have looked like if God had not sent the incredible blessing of YOU into our lives.
Kolbe Christopher, since the moment we knew we were expecting you to the moment we first met you and held you in our arms and beyond, you have constantly reminded us (in the words of St. John Paul II) that "God made us for joy!"
You also received this sweet Lego fire truck. The girls have been teaching you how it works and you are a fan. Thanks, Hjelmstads!
I could quote many amazing saints on the virtue of joy, but I'll share just one more that I think sums you up so well. You are only one. You can't even talk (unless you count "Mama, Dada, Baba, and Nana"), but you light up the world with Christ's love and joy more than anyone in my world. Why?
I'm paraphrasing St. Madeleine Sophie Barat here, but it's because you are humble and simple, and those beautiful virtues bring joy. When one is humble and doesn't need credit, they simply LIVE love with their smiles, their hugs, their care, everything.
And that, Kolbe, is what you do.
Your godparents in California sent you some love (I omitted the personal message part, but it's saved just for you, Kolbe, so you can watch it as much as you like growing up). They are wonderful people and you will love them more and more as you grow and get to know them better with each passing year.
The girls planned you a little party of their own with some schnazzy birthday signs and a banana/cheerio concoction snack.
Kolbe, you are everyone's sunshine around here. You are loved, adored, protected, and doted on by all your big sisters. We are so grateful for your silliness and smiles. We are so thankful for your hugs and for your scrunchy-nosed grins. We love your little chubby feet making tracks everywhere these days. One month ago, you were still taking just a few wobbly steps here and there, but now you run (I mean it's actually just really fast walking, but it is amazing how fast you are!) everywhere. You find ways to move all the barriers we put in your way (persistent little guy!!) and your little chubby fingered wave and "Baba" is the cutest. You have us all wrapped around your little finger, buddy, and we are so blessed to have you in our lives, Little Man.
Happy First Birthday, Kolbe Christopher!
(this pic from when you were 6 months old is still one of my favs.)
