Definitely of the most intense days of our lives.
Also the scariest, loveliest, best'est, confusing...
Challenging.
Heart opening.
Can't believe that was a YEAR ago.
We are so blessed. So blessed. So blessed.
Today will always be a day of great celebration for these two parents! Every time he blows out those candles (you know, when he can actually start doing so) will be a big exhale for us, representing our independence from the strangle-hold of the most traumatic day of our lives.
Clark, on behalf of your mother and myself, you did it! You completed
one calendar year around the sun! You have beaten odds! You have
captured our hearts and the hearts of so many. It's amazing to watch
how you affect people. To have watched you change shape. Gain expressions.
Create opinions. Build with excitement! Stare at your surroundings with such
absorption. To eat more, climb stairs, gaze quizzically at your own fingers.
We love you so much!
Christy and I asked ourselves, what do we get him?! It's not like he
recognizes that today is different than yesterday or last week or
last month. If we see a cute outfit or a toy or a piece of furniture we
think he would like...we get it for him. But what about today? What
do we get our baby boy on his 1st Birthday? He already has plenty of clothes
and toys. Sure I could get him a Radio Flyer, but something tells me he'd
rather have a pair of glasses. Rather, the glasses off my face. Or your face.
The dude has got plenty of shit.
So, today, we're just gonna make sure he feels extra special. I mean,
extra EXTRA special. Maybe take him somewhere fun! Give him as much
(supervised) freedom as possible. And bake him a CAKE that he can
grab, smoosh, fling and messy hisself up with!
Yeah...that's it. We're gonna bake him a cake.
We'll probably post those pics tomorrow. For now. Enjoy a look back over the past year. I'm pretty sure we haven't posted most of these. Should be all new! Got time to do some scrolling?
Thank you for posting the progression photos - it still does my heart good to see how well he's doing. :)
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like the best day ever! I might even steal the cake idea for my birthday! Have a extraordinary day with the family unit!!! :)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CLARK!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing celebration your birthday party will be. I had tears of joy reviewing the photos and seeing how much Clark has grown. He truly is a warrior.
With much love and affection to each of you (a kiss for Molly too)
Josslyn.
Happy Birthday Clark!!
ReplyDeleteAs much as I loved you 5 minutes ago, after looking at your year in review pictures, I love you even more. I really will never get over how far you've progressed. You are a real miracle baby. You've brought so many tears to my eyes, and even more joy to my heart. You can always count on me to be one of your most very loving "uncles"
BTW Jason, make it a full on mommy-daddy-baby cake fight.
XOXOXOXOXOXO
Love and Heartbeams
Neal
Congratulatons,Clark! You made it to your first year. You are amazing! I cannot believe how far you have come. I woke up this morning and of course, I remembered. For several days now, I thought about it. Now you are about to walk! You guys ought to make an emotional montage of the first year with a slideshow or something. That would be great for Clark to look back on when he's older. Congrats! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteYup, crying again. Darn it, Clark, you always make me all sobby and swoony! <3
ReplyDeleteso happy for all three of you
ReplyDeleteI just had the best time sitting at the dining room table with your Grampa Myles and your Auntie Sandy (you may grow up to call her Auntie Puddin) while we shared your first birthday cake experience (thru Skype) with you, your mommy, daddy and NanaPat....oh yes and your best friend MOLLY! We all sang happy birthday to you,then mommy & daddy helped you blow out the candle then we watched you playfully and fully enjoy (from head to toe) the heart shape chocolate birthday cake that your daddy made for you mmmmmmmm good.....what a lucky little boy you are....and how absolutely blessed we are that you came into our lives....we all love you heartbeams and heartbeams....Happy first Birthday sweet pea....love NanaLinda xo:o)
ReplyDeleteHappy You-Day Clark Otis!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe Strength in all 3 of you is Inspiring, the Beauty is devastating (in the good way), and the Light shines so Bright from the Love that Radiates from You that I'm brought to tears. Thank You for always sharing that Light... <3
And YES Clark, face planting into cake is one of the best human experiences, enjoy!!!!
Beautiful pictures....Amazing journey you have gone through Clark (and mommy and daddy). Happy birthday to you sweet boy!! Btw, you have an amazing mommy. ;) She is such a fabulous teacher.
ReplyDeleteLove, Cassie, Geoff and Eli Romsa
Tears of joy! Thank you so much for sharing this miraculous journey with the community around you. We are blessed through your blessings. Yea Clark!!! Celebrate!
ReplyDeleteLove, Joy
I can't believe it's been a year. All three of you have been so inspiring to me and I can't thank you enough for that. Here to another year around the sun, a little easier, a lot more fun love and happiness for all three : )
ReplyDeleteSo filled with love, looking at these pictures. I love my little peanut with more fervor than I'd previously known was possible, and the same feelings flood my heart seeing Clark's amazing life so far! I'm so grateful to you for sharing this whole experience with all of us... xoxo and heartbeams!!
ReplyDelete