Happy First Birthday Oliver

Dear Oliver,

First off, let me be the first to wish you a very happy first birthday. Birthdays are a pretty big deal when you’re a little dude… so enjoy thi

s one because the first of anything is a HUGE DEAL.

I wanted to get you something that you would love for your very first birthday gift, but honestly you are going to get spoiled rotten in a few days by family and friends (so I’m going to take the cheap way out and write you a letter for my gift to you on your 1st birthday.

I guess I wanted to first off say that I am sorry I’m not best dad, especially the second time around. I’m sorry I don’t have as much time as I had the first time with Jax. I’m sorry that every little thing you do isn’t as closely documented as I wish it could be. In no way at any time or under ANY circumstances does that mean that you’re not as much as any other member of this family.

It’s inevitable that being the “second to have a first” can be quite redundant.  But in reality its not that you are the second to have these firsts… its that your firsts sometimes are overshadowed by just how fast you’re growing up and how big you’ve gotten. One second your a lump on a log and the next second your pulling yourself up on the coffee table. I’m waiting to turn around to see you doing pull-ups on the door frame. It’s amazing how much you’ve developed in only a year.

The second baby is supposed to be easier then the first. We’ve already experienced so many things with the first child, sickness, diaper explosions, teething… etc, etc. You’d think that these experiences would be less exciting the second time around, but they totally do not lose any of that “amazingness” even the second time around. It is truly a blessing watching you stand up on your own, although its just as scary when seeing you when you can’t balance and you fall face first onto the hardwood floor.

I think the thing that gets lost in this blog is the little things… I try to document as much as I can… but the one thing that no one can truly depict (not even the best writer) is the love between you and your brother.  The way he lights up when he sees you is truly heartwarming. You have not only brought so much joy into mine and your mother’s lives, but into Jackson’s as well.  I know what its like to be a big brother… I know Jackson feels protective of you… but I also know how great it is to have someone around to make you laugh and to play with. You are so much more than just our child, you are a brother and best friend.

If the past is any indication of how the next year of your life will go… I predict you will do great things… big things… but more importantly you will be loved by so many people as well.

Happy Birthday little man…

Love,

Dad

 

 

JANUARY 31, 2017:

JANUARY 31, 2018: