Happy Birthday Alli!

Now that I'm a parent, I think I understand the phrase "A face only a mother (father) can love". The truth is, every parent thinks their baby is beautiful. Even the newborns. Except they are blinded to another truth: All newborns are ugly. Yup, all of 'em. They're swollen, wrinkly and bruised. Their eyes don't open, or if they do they're cock-eyed and looking in different directions. But yet, the estrogen surges inside you (yes, men make estrogen too, by the way) and you swoon at the sight of your baby, thinking that she is just the most beautiful thing in the world. You hand her around like she's a prize to beheld. You spend big bucks taking professional studio pictures and give them to family and friends.

Blissfully ignorant of the truth.

I know we were. Looking back at the large photo hanging in our hall, the one that was professionally photographed, we catch ourselves thinking, what were we thinking?? We should have waited a few months!But I digress. The months do fly by quickly. And in those 12 magical months, our little potato-looking baby has grown so much, into (what we think; again back to the theory of parents being blinded. For all I know you all might think like she looks like a monkey) beautiful little girl.

Yes, our Alli turns one today! As a parent, it's amazing to see how much your baby develops and learns in that short amount of time. There's just so much fun watching them grow, and learn new things (like how to open drawers and scatter the contents all over the floor).

My dad once told me. A man will have 3 greatest joys: Marriage, being a Father, and then becoming a Grandfather. So true. I'm sure many of you understand this firsthand, while many others will eventually experience this magical journey. Seeing and playing with your daughter at the end of a hard long day, and seeing her light up at the sight of you walking through the door, is an experience that is beyond explanation. And despite the fatigue and stress and of course the evergrowing cost of being a parent, I'm loving every moment of it!

Happy 1st Birthday, Allison! We love you!