Happy 1st Birthday, Irwin!!

Today is my Nephew’s First Birthday.

I am filled with much emotion for this little boy has truly changed my life….my heart…..and my soul.

Irwin,

I had no idea that when you were born, I would fall madly in love with you. Your very being has changed my whole life and I am so grateful for you.

Watching you grow over the past year has been the biggest and best reward of my life.

I’ve watched you grow from this tiny little baby doll (well, let’s be honest, you were anything but tiny when you were born;) to this precious little boy. I’ve watched you learn to laugh and crawl and walk (and run!). You change so much from week to week that I honestly hate not being able to see you on a regular basis. My heart actually aches when I don’t get to see you for a week.

I’ve watched the way you adore your Papa (my dad) and your Tula (my mom). But most importantly, I’ve watched the way you adore your mama and it is priceless.

You have the sweetest spirit and best nature. You rarely ever cry. From the time you wake up to the time you go to sleep, you are all smiles and giggles yet you’re an intense little booger—taking everything in with those big eyes of yours. I love how you so easily go to strangers. That shows your trusting and compassionate nature. 

Watching you discover yourself and the world is magical. I know it’s magical for you but it is also magical for your family.

As we celebrate your one year of life today…I want you to know that you are loved beyond measure. You are the best gift your mother has ever given us. You are our miracle and not one day goes by that I don’t think about you and smile. As you continue to grow, we will be with you every step of the way. Life is full of hard stuff, buddy. But it’s also full of beautiful stuff—and that makes the hard stuff bearable. I know you live everyday completely in the present because you haven’t realized that there is a future yet. I envy you for that. You have taught me so many valuable lessons this past year. Thank you, little man.

Here’s to you, Irwin Jackson!!! You’re a beam of light in this world!

I can’t wait to watch you over the next year.

I love you so very much.

Love,

Jen Jen

“The child must know that he is a miracle, that since the beginning of the world there hasn't been, and until the end of the world there will not be, another child like him.” ~ Pablo Casais

"Every child born into the world is a new thought of God, an ever fresh and radiant possibility" – Kate Douglas Wiggin