Crista Acosta Photography

I have no idea how it happened.  I swear he was just the tiny baby in my arms who would mold his body against mine and hang on like a tree frog.  When I asked him if I could take pictures of him for his birthday, he looked at me with a twinkle in his eye and said “only if you make me a deal – I get to wear whatever fancy shirt I want, and a hat too”.  I happily agreed, and on a side note, he calls anything with buttons “a fancy shirt”.   So yesterday morning before I had to bring him to school, I snuck in ten quick minutes in the backyard to capture my monkey as he is today… equal parts silly, sweet, feisty and funny.

To my little duder,

I love you more than you will ever understand.  In the midst of this chaotic life, you are the highlight of my day time and time again.  You can make me laugh at the drop of a hat, you continuously impress me with how smart that giant noggin brain of yours is, you melt my heart with the kindness and compassion you show not only to your brother and sister, but to anyone that you meet.  In the morning sometimes I’ll wake up before you do, and I just lay in bed anticipating the creak of my door and your tiny footsteps padding in the room to come to curl up next to me under the covers.  I love those few minutes that you lay next to me, still sleepy and snuggled up… it reminds me so much of when you were smaller, and every morning I want to pause that moment, because I know when tomorrow comes you’ll be just a little bit bigger.

I hope you never lose your sense of humor.  You are a natural comedian, and anyone who ever has the chance to be around you always comments about how funny you are… always ready to put on a show, make people laugh, and just be happy.  I hope you never lose your sensitive side.  You are so in tune with other people’s emotions, and so aware of taking care of them – that’s a gift – don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

I am so lucky to be your mama.  Sometimes I look at you and I wonder how it’s possible that I was even a tiny part of creating something so amazing.  You are an incredible child, and I love you.

Happy Birthday baby boy.

xoxo, mama