Dear Elijah,
Just one year ago we fell in love all over again. It was a different kind of love. A love no one can fully explain or describe to one who has never felt it. A love we couldn’t imagine until we saw you, smelt you, and held you close and called you ours.
Just one year ago, you were our peanut at 7 pounds 14 oz. 21.5 inches long. You fit perfectly into the bend of my arm. You snuggled close on your mama’s chest and wouldn’t move for hours. You swaddled into your blanket like a little cocoon. You made your mama’s heart want to explode and your tough daddy cry tears of happiness.
Just one year ago we admired your platinum blonde hair for the very first time. We awed over your big blue eyes that were just like your daddy’s and your pouty lips that came from mama. We counted your ten adorable toes and held your sweet little hand in ours.
Just one year ago we started your bedtime routine with story time, milk, and singing Jesus Loves Me. You still love to be sang to, even when your daddy sings you his silly songs. You love reading and looking at pictures in your books.
Just ten months ago you rolled over for the first time. You had the sweetest, most innocent cooing. We watched your big eyes wander and wondered why you never looked at us. And then our world changed forever. We learned of your albinism. We feared for your future and we mourned for you over the vision loss, but we also found hope in the fact that God made you perfectly the way you are and we set out to learn more about you and how we could help you. We were excited for what God had in store for us as we thanked him for this sweet angel baby he gave us.
Just eight months ago you were a lively 4 month old. You were rolling both ways and smiling up a storm. You had attended more baseball, football, and basketball games than most babies (and daddy’s) could dream of. You loved blowing raspberries. We learned that your favorite and most soothing thing to do is taking a bath. We chose your ‘life song’ and still to this day can’t help but tear up when we hear “let the blind say I can see, it’s what the Lord has done in me”
Just six months ago you celebrated your half birthday as well as your first Christmas. You mastered sitting up on your own and gazed at the lights on the Christmas tree with wonder. You could make anyone smile with your sweet little giggles. You melt your mama’s heart every time you smiled. You tried your first solid foods, and although timid at first, soon caught on and couldn’t get enough.
Just four months ago you discovered the skill of crawling. You took to it quickly and showed off your love of adventure and getting into everything. You went through your first swimming lessons and loved every minute of being in the pool water. You wooed the ladies with your blonde locks, big blue eyes, and clapping with joy. You decided that you really hate the sunshine sometimes and have very sensitive eyes when we are outside. You learned to squeal in delight and jabbered dada over and over again.
Just two months ago you got your first teeth as well as learned to pull yourself up to stand and cruise along the couch. You went on your very first plane ride and did fantastic. You learned to “dance” along to music, praise hallelujah, chuckle ecstatically, and babble all the time. You love your food, but stay long and lean just like your daddy.
And now. Elijah, now you are our handsome little man that brings so much joy to our lives. Now you weigh approximately 21 pounds and are about 30 inches of cuteness. You draw attention everywhere we go; the ladies sure do love you. Now you have 4 teeth and a big goofy grin that will melt anyone’s heart. Now, you’ve mastered the “game face” daddy taught you with your nose crinkled up that always gets laughs. Now you cruise and crawl all over, with no ambition to try to walk because you’re faster at what you do now. Now you finally say “mama” as well as many other sounds of jabbering. Now, you’ve got the most gorgeous blonde curly locks and long blonde eyelashes that any girl would die for. Now, you’ve got the best little chuckle that makes us laugh right along with you. Now, you are still amazed by bright colors, flashing lights, and music. Now, you love to hear music all the time and love dancing and clapping right along with it. Now, your vision is better than ever and we’ve been told nothing but positive news and can’t wait for your future. Now, you wear your sunglasses proudly like such a stud everywhere we go. Now, we thank God for the gift of sight he’s given you. Now, your favorite time of day is still bath time when you can play forever in the water until we finally cut you off because it’s time for bed. Now, you gave up the bottle on your own and are strictly on your sippy cup, mastering it more with each day. Now, you are a vivacious little man with a little attitude, no doubt. Now, you may be stubborn, but you’re also passionate. When you’re upset, you are very upset. When you’re happy, you are the happiest smiling boy ever. You are your daddy’s biggest fan. When you’re playful and happy you almost always want him. But, you are also your mama’s sweet boy. You love snuggling and being held close to your mama when you are sad or sick. Now you are a energetic and usually bubbly little one year old, but remain sweet, shy, and sensitive at the same time.
Elijah Steven, You are a gift from God. And, We praise Him for the blessing he has given us. We are beyond thankful for the joy you have brought to our lives. Thank you for teaching us how to never take a day for granted. Thank for teaching us to enjoy each and every moment.
“I’ll love you forever. I’ll like you for always. As long as I’m living, my baby you’ll be.”
Happy First Birthday!
We love you, sweet boy.
~Mama & Daddy.
Holding you for the first time...
words can't describe the feeling of this moment
simply amazing. <3
Life Verse
Elijah, on your first birthday we wanted to give you a verse to keep near and dear to you as you grow up a child of God. Your mama and dada prayed about this verse and asked for God to give us one that would encourage you and one to be imprinted on your heart and be a continual prayer over your life. We prayed for one that spoke to who you are as an individual- a sweet blessing and precious gift from God.
We want you to always be proud of who you are and proclaim that God made you perfectly in his image. You were made the way you were for a specific reason and we pray that you will never forget that and ultimately give all the glory to God for how he created you. Your gorgeous blonde locks, your beautiful pale skin, your sparkling white eye lashes, and those magnificent lavender/blue eyes. What’s not to love? God made you and we want you to declare that “How he made you is amazing and wonderful”.
Psalm 139:14
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
So, what does that mean, sweet boy? “The context of this verse is the incredible nature of our physical bodies. The human body is the most complex and unique organism in the world, and that complexity and uniqueness speaks volumes about the mind of its Creator. Every aspect of the body, down to the tiniest microscopic cell, reveals that it is fearfully and wonderfully made.”
You, little man, were fearfully and wonderfully made by our awesome Creator. How He made you is nothing short of amazing and wonderful. You are a gift from God. We never want you to forget how special, unique, and perfect you are. Hold dear to the Truth of God’s word and this particular verse as you cling to him through life.
We love you Elijah, with all our hearts, and thank God for the greatest blessing in giving us YOU.
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