Big Deal's 1st Birthday Blog

Jericho Hawk Barron...you precious giant baby. How are you a year old? (How and I already crying??? I haven't written anything yet.) My word, you kind of came out of nowhere and were not what I was expecting in any way. And in the best ways. In the barely-an-hour we spent in Labor and Delivery waiting to see your face, when I realized I almost had you at home much to your daddy's horror, when I realized there wasn't time for the hard drugs even if I wanted them (I didn't, but ya know...the option is nice), when they said things like "he is a big guy! and look at all that dark hair!"...you changed our world, big man. We didn't know what we were missing.

We had decided there would be no more babies after your sibs. They are certifiable in all the best ways. I love them and their crazy heads, but they wore me out. It took me two years after your sister's slightly horrific delivery to stop twitching when I saw a pregnant woman. Then the twitching stopped. and I realized someone was missing. It just felt not finished around here.

God had you planned, even when we didn't. We may not have known who was the "five" to our "Party of"...but it was always meant to be you, sweet man. My mama-heart just wasn't quite full without you. And you fill it in your own special unique way. You are the brown-eyes I always wondered if I'd be a mommy to, when the two I already loved so were the same blue as your daddy's. You are a hand-crafted gift I wasn't even aware I wanted, but now can't imagine how I got by without.

I love how you adore your brother and sister, and simultaneously already throw fits in their direction when they push you a little too far. I always remind them to be really nice to you, since you're already close to outweighing at least one of them. You are so sweet though, I am not sure I can picture you being the football player everyone swears you're meant to be. I don't know what the future holds for you, but I am so glad that you are a part of this home today. This day, this first of, God-willing, a life full of many birthdays, is all about you, Baby-Do. But as I've told your siblings before you, as your mama I can't help but feel like I'm the one who is getting the gift. Happy first birthday, J-Hawk. I love you so!