Happy Birthday, John!

 Happy Birthday, John!

 How has a year gone by so quickly?  Probably because we've been on the move since you were born.

 Traveling across country before you were 6 weeks.

 Visiting the beach countless times.

 And you have been one laid back kid...though these pictures are a little misleading as you continue to not sleep through the night.  But, it will come...and until then, coffee will be a good friend to your parents.

 Speaking of friends, you have three solid ones in your camp.  Not many kids are as lucky as you are to have such happy people to hang out with.

 It probably helps that you look similar, but I suspect they'd love you even if you didn't look just like them.

 Because you love to laugh and play and be where the action is.

 People in stores will always try to get you to smile.  You give them such long stares and then your smile creeps out.  It is a gift.  If they do nothing else all day, they walk away laughing about how hard you made them work to get you to smile.

 Now that you are on the move (and even experimenting with walking) you love to find everyone and be included.  I love the sound of your voice as you jabber about who knows what.  Just letting us know you are there.

 Even if you get upset, we know that we can take you outside where you are content watching your siblings play, riding in the wagon, or playing at the water table.   Another alternative is to give you a bath.  You love to play in the water.

 You also like to take everything off of the shelves.  Dad and I have watched you methodically take every single book off a shelf with the air of:  'I just did this and some clown put these back...Well, if you want to do something right, you better do it yourself'...Luckily, your messes are pretty contained.  I'll also take this moment to say you have followed in your siblings footsteps in how you let us know you are either done or displeased with the food choices on the tray.  You simply pick them up and toss them over the edge until we remove the food from your sight. 

 We missed going to the Triduum services last year because you weren't even a week old, but we enjoyed including you in the family foot washing this year.  You enjoyed it also (see that part about loving water).

We sure do love you, John Eugene Anthony.  While carrying you for 9 months, I wondered what sort of kid you would be and how you would add to our family.  As your personality emerges over the next year, I suspect we will laugh quite a bit and thank God a bit more frequently for the blessing of our family.   You are one special child and I am so grateful to be your mom...even if you do have a nasty 2 AM habit.  But, I know from experience it won't last, so I will continue to drink my coffee and enjoy having you as you are.  Because, I wouldn't want it any other way.

Happy, Happy Birthday!!  We love you so very much!

Mom, Dad, Dom, Will, and Molly