I Love You

Dear Owen,
Happy birthday this past week! I'm still amazed that it's been a whole year. There's been so much on my mind this past week that will be hard to sum up, but if you get anything from this message I hope it's that I love you.
I love how you squeeze my arm when I hold you on my hip.
I love how you'll twist your body to look right into my eyes.
I love that you yell when you're mad, instead of cry.
I love how your arms flail up high when you try to walk.
I love that you crack up whenever I pretend to eat you. That never gets old.
I love that you're easy to make laugh.
I love rocking you to sleep.
I love your curiosity
I love how you get so excited to see animals.
I love seeing you throw balls and push toys around, and use everything in our apartment as your jungle gym. Your dad and I sit back and watch you play by yourself multiple times a day.  
I love that you love splashing.
I love that you love to be outside.
I love your kisses.
I love the way your cheeks feel on my lips. 
I love that you've had a healthy first year, I don't want to take that for granted! 
It breaks my heart that something bad may (will) happen to you one day, because bad days are part of life. I'll be here for you when those bad days come. 
I'm so proud of you and so happy you joined our family.
I hope your first year of life was as good as my first year of being a mom.
I love you.
Love, Mom