When a baby enters your world, it changes completely. No longer are you the most important thing in your life. Selflessly, you focus your time and energy on tending to the wants and needs of the marvelous creature you love more than you thought was even possible. You do this not only because you want to, but because you have to--he is helpless and he needs you...you may not be the most important thing in your own life, but you sure are in his.

One day, after your baby has started walking and talking, you realize how much he has grown up. It's nothing compared to what you'll feel in a couple of years when he's not a toddler anymore, but for now, it's significant. The little creature that has, for more than a year, been solely dependent on you for everything can now do many things on his own. You cheer loudly for every accomplishment and each one makes you so proud...but at the same time, there's a small bit of sadness knowing your baby is growing up...and so you treasure each moment as it passes, knowing you'll never have it again.

Last night as Jake was helping me sort his clothes for laundry before bathtime, it really hit me. I can ask him to do something and he does it. He understands exactly what I am telling him to do. I don't have to worry so much if the gate isn't shut. He can get up and down the stairs with very minimal assistance. I don't have to watch him or entertain him every single minute. He can walk around and find things to play with on his own. He can tell me what the animals are in books and videos. He can maturely drink out of a straw (no squeezing all the liquid out or pulling the straw in and out!). He closes things for me when I ask him to. He brings things where I ask him to. He can turn light switches on and off. He can also turn every TV and DVD player on and off, as well as change all the channels and adjust the volume (this is not very desirable, however). I can ask him, "Do you want ____?" and he can tell me no if he doesn't. He helps me dress him, he knows his shoes are for his feet and his brush for his hair. He knows many of his body parts. He kisses me without me having to ask him to. He can get on and off all the couches and off the bed without falling.

All these things and more make me look at our boy in wonder. It is truly amazing watching and helping him grow up and I couldn't feel more fortunate, or be any happier, to have someone as wonderful as the Big Guy to do it all with. He patiently does Jake's bottles at night knowing full well that that's one chore I hate to do. He lets me sleep in every morning and gets up before Jake and I do and by the time he wakes me up, he has Jake's clothes for the day ready so he can dress him up. We've done a lot of great things together as husband and wife, but nothing has meant as much to us as becoming parents. It's been an awesome journey so far, and it's only just the beginning :)

I love you, Big Guy.