It seems like every time a more experienced parent sees my little boy and asks how old he is, they always follow up with something in the vein of “Enjoy it now. He will be grown up before you know it.”

And here we are what after what seems like weeks after welcoming Oliver into our lives and he is already a year old.

In the first few weeks of his life, I remember holding him and singing to him while I rocked him to sleep in his bedroom. I knew then that moments like this would not last forever. I knew that and I was a little sad. “It does not get any better than this” I thought. “Enjoy this while you can.”

A few weeks later he would recognize Carissa and I and smile when we looked at him and played with him. Again, the same thoughts. It does not get any better than this.

After smiling came laughing. I would hold him in my arms and dip him down and quickly bring him up. He would smile and giggle uncontrollably. It does not get any better than this.

Next it was crawling. I will never forget the first time he saw me, stopped what he was doing, and crawled toward me. It does not get any better than this.

One of the most fun stages was eating. Carissa would put some spaghetti on the high chair. About half would make it into his mouth. The rest would be found scattered over his entire body, the wall, the floor, and the dogs. It does not get any better than this.

Now we are at the stage of walking. In the last few weeks he has really began to master it. He wants to walk and explore everywhere. But just like crawling, my favorite walking moments are when we sees me, giggles, and then starts walking so fast in my direction that he almost falls over¹. It does not get any better than this.

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During the first year, I was afraid of him growing up. I enjoyed the moments I was in is much that I failed to see that the next ones could be even better.

My days of thinking “It does not get any better than this” are over. I know better now.

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Today Ollie walked up to me and put his arms around my legs and gave me a hug.

This is my favorite part of parenting yet.

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Even though it has only been a year, I can barely remember what life was like before he came. I could not imagine going back to it.

Happy first birthday, bud. You mom and I love you more than you know.