Monkey's Birthday

My little Trevor turned 1 yesterday! We sang Happy Birthday to him at the Barton Christmas get together yesterday but we didn't end up cutting the cake since there were so many other treats. Today after church the kids were dying to eat Trevor's monkey cake. So we sang Happy Birthday again and let our little monkey dig in! We let him pick at the cake and then cut him a piece to eat. He pretty much inhaled the whole piece of cake. After the cake, he went down for a nap so he still hasn't opened his presents, yet.

No more cake? I guess I'll just eat the plate...

I think there are just a few more crumbs I can lick off...

The other night I was pretty emotional thinking about my little baby turning one. I fell asleep crying and then woke up in the morning and more tears started falling. I don't think I've ever been so emotional about my kids turning one. I think it was a combination of that, plus Ashlee turning 8 next month and being baptized that really got to me. I decided to write down a few of the thoughts that were going through my head the other night in the form of a letter to Trevor...

To My Little Monkey,
It’s so hard for me to believe that one year ago it was Christmas time. All the presents were bought and wrapped. I was all ready for Christmas early last year because I wanted to be ready in case you decided to join our family a few weeks before Christmas. You decided to wait, though, but when I saw my midwife the day before your due date and she gave me the option of being induced, I took it. Maybe it was a little selfish of me, but my only Christmas wish was for you to be in my arms. The next day I called and called and called the hospital to see when I could come in for my induction. They were so busy all day that finally at 10:00 at night I got the call to come in. Grandma Barton came to stay with your older sisters and brother, and daddy and I were off to the hospital. I was so anxious to see you! We got to the hospital around 11:00 on December 19th, and the nurse started the pitocin at midnight. Just 4½ hours later on December 20, 2007, you were in my arms, all 7 little pounds of you, and no one could wipe the smile from my face.

A year later, you are starting to show your independence. This morning I nursed you for the last time, but know that I will still hold and cuddle you as you hold your own bottle to feed yourself. I don't think I can give up that "just you and me time". At breakfast the other day, in an attempt to finish off the remaining box of rice cereal mixed with bananas and applesauce, you wanted to hold the spoon yourself with your right hand while shoving cereal in with your bare left hand. I have a feeling the days of multiple baths are in the near future. It’s bittersweet as I watch you learn basic new skills that will help you grow and take care of yourself.

Ashlee, Brynlee and Landon adore you as their baby brother. They affectionately call you T-Monkey, Monkey or just “T”. The girls squeal with delight when they see you first thing in the morning or when they come home from school and smother you with kisses. You are already forming a “buddy” bond with Landon as you follow him around, crawling from room to room to find where he is playing.

You are the cutest little thumb sucker. I may not think that if you are still doing it in a few years, but for now it’s adorable. It’s funny when you find something soft or fuzzy on the floor and play with it in your left hand or rub it against your face and ear while sucking your right thumb. You look so peaceful and content. Most of the time, I just want to squeeze you and cover your chubby cheeks with kisses.

You have yet to take your first steps, but really, that is just fine with me. You can stay little for as long as you would like. I’m in no hurry. You love to copy sounds and actions of others, and Brynlee loves to point at you and laughs when you point back. You love to growl back and forth with me and pant like a little puppy and then laugh when I do the same. You shake your head and say “no-no”. Sometimes I think you just like to say the sounds but don’t really know what it means, but then the other night when you saw me touch an ornament on the Christmas tree, you gently reminded me to not touch the tree. You point at things you see and jabber while telling me all about it, as if I know exactly what you are saying. Sometimes your jabbering really sounds like you just said something and everyone in the room turns and looks at each other saying “Did he really just say that?”

Trevor, you have blessed our family with so much love. I thank my Heavenly Father for blessing me with such a sweet, happy, cuddly baby. I love you Monkey! Happy 1st Birthday!

Love,
Your mommy