Dearest Bracken,
10/14/10
you joined us.
Yesterday you turned one year old!
Our day was filled with so much fun. I wanted to write to you, but spent the day watching you in awe and letting the words come together in my heart. I wasn’t quite sure what it was exactly that I wanted to say.
We put on your birthday crown that I made you.
(Embroidered on felted wool, inspired by ‘Handmade Home‘ by Amanda Blake Soule.)
As I know how you are with hats, I expected you to pull it off right away and got the camera ready for a quick snapshot, but surprisingly you kept it on for quite awhile. I laughed as I realized I had made it rather big, but it looked so perfect on you.
I watched you in awe.
Remembering how I missed your presence and yearned for you, long before I was ever pregnant, like something was missing until you were there.
I marveled at your two new top teeth, that came just in time for your birthday. Your four-teeth, toothy grin was so cute. I didn’t know you could get any cuter.
I watched you in awe.
Remembering how it felt to rub my big pregnant belly, while singing and talking to you inside.
I saw you snuggle up to your dad.
I watched you in awe.
Remembering moving my body from our home to the garden during your birth, with the cycles of day and night. The glowing candles, the soothing tub, the sunshine, the fall garden.
I marveled at each expression you made.
I watched you in awe.
Remembering the moment you were born and the feeling of you being placed against my chest. And that first night, where you slept in the same place.
I noticed that there are so many facets to you. I love getting to discover more about you each day.
I watched you in awe.
Remembering those first weeks, soaking up the last of the fall sunlight in the garden. You were so tiny.
I saw how our family picture has changed in a year.
I watched you in awe.
Remembering how rich and full our life has been this past year, since you joined us.
The crown did come off.
Your best friend Kelson and an abundance of fall leaves made for a lot of excitement.
~
Yes, I did a lot of remembering and smiling on your birthday.
I am so grateful to be your mom.
I am so grateful to get to experience life with you and see it through your fresh eyes.
I appreciate all you’ve taught me and I know there will be so much more.
Your Spirit is so bright and so strong.
You are a gift to this world.
I love you with all my heart.
Happy Birthday to the sweetest boy. That photo of him and his friend is so precious, Taryn. I recognize that boy’s mama! 🙂
Thanks all!!
Happy Birthday Bracken. Happy Parents Day to Taryn and Jeff. What a beautiful happy family you are.
Kathi
Well said, my dear Taryn……….when he is an adult he will hold that letter close to his heart.
Love from Aunt Isla
HAPPY BIRTH/ING DAY to Bracken and Mama Taryn!
Wow. Taryn… that is one of the most incredible and life-affirming posts, ever. It’s so beautifully written. That post should be printed out and made into a little keepsake book! Some very sweet and special words there. I LOVE the photos!!! Thank you so much for sharing. Bracken’s 1st birthday sounds like it was just right. And I love the crown!
Happy birthday, beautiful Bracken!
A belated Happy Birthday!
You found wonderful words for this post and it is hardly to believe that he is already one year old.
Absolutely beautiful post, Taryn. Happy birthday Bracken!
What a beautiful post, it made me cry. That first year goes so fast. I have two children and am pregnant with my third, watching them grow is the best thing in the world. It is amazing how much children change from year to year. Each year they become someone new and wonderful, and we love them more and more.
Happy 1st trip around the sun Bracken! What a beautiful time to be born and celebrate a birthday.
Happy Birthday to your adorable little boy! Bracken really is an absolute treasure–I thoroughly enjoy every post that features his sweet wee face!
Beautiful Taryn, what wonderful words for your birthday boy.
Wishing him love and joy.xxx
Happy birthday to dearest Bracken!