Dear Jacoby | 1 year

Coby J-

Happy birthday little man!

At least 4 times a week, your papa and I go from looking at you to looking at each other and back at you, commenting how big you are getting. You really are becoming a little man!

You are determined. When you set your little mind to something, you are going to achieve it. You can see it in your eyes and that little wrinkle in your brow. You're strong. Sometimes Ains will be standing on a kitchen chair and you'll slide her around the kitchen without as much as a grunt!

You are handsome. I love how your hair curls up like your papa's when you get a little sweaty. You've got a dimple so deep on your cheek and a toothy smile that causes everyone to smile right back at you. Not to mention those big ol' eyes! You're such a little charmer--it makes me a bit nervous for when girls catch your eyes especially with that slobbery kiss you give!

You began walking at 9.5 months--exactly a week before Christmas--and you haven't slowed down yet. I love how everything you do screams I'm a little boy! Exploring. Playing with rocks. Eating dirt. You enjoy it all!

Family and friends helped celebrate your first birthday with a "Little Man" themed birthday party complete with mustaches, manwhiches and little man [root] beer. You weren't as excited with your mustache smash cake as we expected. You literally destroy nearly all meals but after a few bites you were done with your cake and ready to play on the floor again.

The morning of your birthday party, you were dedicated at church. At the church we previously attended, the baby dedication was on a date that didn't work for us, so we hadn't had you dedicated yet. It made is nice though that we were able to have family and friends attend church to be a part of officially committing to raise you in a Godly manner. I know your papa and I will fail at times, but it is our intention to raise you to love and serve God regardless of what that may look like. More than that, all of your family attending church and the entire congregation at Lima First Assembly also commit to help raise you in such a way. I hope you grow to be all that God has designed you to be little man--and I'm excited to watch that develop in you!

 The past year has been a wonderful year. You bring joy and charm to our life and we celebrate our blessed we are to have you in our family. We love you so much and love how much you love us--including your big sis--in return!

Love,
Momma