Cruzin' With Tyler and Emma: One Year Old Today

Dear Kenj,

Happy birthday to our sweet, loving, sharing, caring, funny, friendly, fearless, adorable (you get the point), little boy who turned a whole one year old today!

It is hard to believe that an entire year has gone by since that first night we met you and our life went from amazing to AMAZING. You were just a little tiny thing that we weren't quite sure what to do with, but instantly fell in love with. Now, in this short time we've known each other, you've become a big boy, all grown up. You're talking (ok, not "words", but you've definitely got things to say), walking, doing what you want to do, eating what you want to eat (or at least whatever we let you get your hands on)... you have an incredible personality making everyone around you take notice of you and smile. You only cry when something is bothering you, but even then, you try to put on a good face (like when you are sick and still try to have a good time). People always ask us if you cry, because you are always such a happy baby.

We can only hope that you have enjoyed this past year as much as we have and that you have learned as much from us as we have learned from you. You have taught us that there is so much more to life than just ourselves, that there is so much love that we can give to another being. You have made us smile and laugh each and every single day even when, on the rare occasion, you're driving us a little crazy and up the wall.

We're so fortunate to have you as our son and can only imagine how much more joy you're going to bring to us in the many, many years that we will be sharing together. Honestly, we couldn't have asked for a more perfect kid. Hopefully, as the years go by, and you get to know us more, you'll think the same of us too. =)

In case you ever wonder what you did for your 1st birthday, here are a couple of pictures and a couple of videos. You walked on the sidewalk for the first time and we went to Amici's for your first slice of pizza (you had a little in the Philippines and loved it so much that we thought, for your big day, you deserved your own big slice).