Will celebrated his first birthday yesterday.

I am, and have been for weeks, a ball of emotions.

While I’m so so happy that he’s getting so big and doing so many things, I’m also sad, because my baby won’t be a baby for much longer.

I know they say it goes by fast but geez, I had no idea.

I’ve been spending the last couple weeks looking back at all of the photos and videos I took when he was just an itty bitty thing. I miss his tiny hands and toes and all the snuggles, but then I see my little guy look over at me, smile and clap his hands, and I can’t help but think it doesn’t get better than this.

But of course it will.

He will continue to get bigger and better every day. He will grow and learn a little bit more every day, and I’ll love him a little bit more every day. I can’t imagine how that’s possible, but somehow, it will be.

He’s not my little newborn anymore, and that’s okay. I’m learning to sit in this bittersweet season of life and feel every bit of the loss of my infant, while also feeling the excitement of this little boy that he’s becoming.

He might not be the fastest or the smartest, but he is the kindest, most loving and wise boy I know. I know this because I tell him every day. If I believe it, then I can teach him to believe it, too. And if he believes that he is kind and wise and loving, he will be.

Will is simply the best.

He is the very best gift. The very best Will. My job is to make sure he knows it.

And in a season of gift-giving, I couldn’t be more grateful for the gift of this boy, and the last year I’ve had with him.

Here’s a bunch of pictures of him over the year. You’re welcome.

“All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:13

“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’ ” Matthew 19:14