Happy Birthday Little Guy!

One year ago today, our lives were changed. One year ago today, a sweet, beautiful, healthy baby boy was born. So, today, if you'll indulge us, we'd like to share our blessings, as our family has been so blessed.

• We thank God for giving us the gift of parenthood. Over the past year, we have come to truly appreciate the personal sacrifice necessary to be a committed, loving parent. We are forever grateful that we have been given this blessing.
• We having an incredibly loving and supportive family. The morning I went into labor, my mother packed up her car and drove to Savannah. She took care of me, so that we could take care of our son. We will never forget those first three days of Owen's life, and the gift my mother was to us. We are blessed with family, that though far away, are more involved in Owen's life than you'd expect of family who lives in town. Our family has celebrated every tiny milestone with us, from the first smile, to the first step, and made each milestone feel like Owen earned an Olympic medal. Our family comforted us when Owen was sick, going through Physical Therapy and the mornings after an awful night of sleep. Our family is here for us, and love Owen more than you can imagine.
• My girlfriends - you know who you are - who were more helpful than all the baby books and internet forums combined. You got me through breastfeeding, sleepless nights and leaking diapers. I love you.
• Our nanny and the many women who have taken care of Owen (Rebecca, Bobbie, Danyse, Eleanor, Maggie, Mollie, Elizabeth and more). We are so fortunate to know that our son is well taken care of while we work or are away. We are so lucky that you love our son, and treat him like your own. Thank you.
• And finally, we are blessed to have survived this first year. We have a better marriage because of Owen. We have experienced a new kind of love that is impossible to describe until you've become a mom and dad. So, we're grateful to each other too.

We hope you'll join us in celebrating the first birthday of our son, Owen Luis Saez, who was born on July 31, 2008, at 1:43 pm. Owen is a sweet, smiley boy. He loves his truck and his dog. He loves sippy cups, going on walks and staring out the window. He loves his lovey - Bugsy - and all dozen of his pacis. He loves to give kisses and hugs, and loves to be read to. He loves to pull books off the shelves and turn the water handle on and off. He has 3 1/2 teeth now, is about 22 pounds and sleeps through the night (woo hoo!). He loves his mom and dad and all his family - Nana, Granddaddy, Papa, Mama, Abuela Isa, Aunt Jen, Uncle Claudio, Kaylin, Tita Susan, Tito Mark, Noah, Grace, all our cousins, and many, many more.

Then....

And now.

Then.

And now.