Happy First Birthday Chase Matthew!

Wow, were do we begin.  Our baby Chase is one year old!

I always knew I wanted a family.  When Kevin and I met, there was no doubt we would have children.  It was a given, we didn't really think about it. We didn't really know what it meant, we didn't know how it would change our lives.

We didn't know it meant being paralyzed with fear over the unknowns and the prayers we prayed for your health.  We didn't know it meant being scared and excited the night before your delivery.  We didn't know it meant sleepless night or inconsolable baby cries.  We didn't know our hearts could beat outside our bodies, or that we could love someone that much.  We didn't know it meant laughing as we found ourselves covered in poo, pee, and vomit, all at once. We didn't know we wouldn't care about time lost to packing, preparing, and lugging baby stuff. or the slow pace at which we now move and live. We didn't know the fear that could consume us when something went wrong, or that we could smile this hard, laugh this much, or love this strong.  Not until you arrived.

Chase Matthew,  you are honestly the light in our lives, the topic of every conversation, the joy in every moment, and the smile behind our happy moments.  Our marriage and relationship is stronger because of you and our family is happier now that you're here.  We cannot remember what our lives were like a year ago, and that is fine with us.

You are our smart, inquisitive, comedian.

You know how to ham it up for the camera and induce a smile and laugh from anyone with your little grin and boisterously squeaky voice.  You are fearless and outgoing wild.

And boy are you fast.  Your crawling is so speedy, that you haven't bothered to perfect walking yet.  You love your kitchen utensils and carry them with you everywhere.

You love to ride in your wagon waving at the neighbors, kids, and dogs.

You love to sort things and are proud of every new discovery you make.  You are quite the jabber-mouth, and we joke that you talk so much, you even talk in your sleep.  And sleep... you are finally starting to sleep through the night at 1 year! You love Cheerios and yogurt.  You can't get enough of water and will splash in the smallest puddle or biggest ocean.

Roxie is becoming a best buddy and mischief maker with you.  You  have an affinity for being naked and will do anything to make us laugh.  And oh that laugh is infectious.

This year was incredible.  It stretched our capabilities as people and grew us as parents.  It went too fast and we are bittersweet to call you a toddler now.  But, we can't wait for all the joy you will continue to bring us and the discoveries we will enjoy though your eyes.  We love you Chase Matthew Homan.  Happy First Birthday!

1-year Stats:
length: 28 1/2 in (25th percentile)
weight: 19 lbs 11 oz (5th percentile)
head: 18 1/2 in (55th percentile)