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to a one year old named ben


dear bean,

when your daddy and i found out we were going to have another baby, we were pretty scared. we didn't know how to be parents to three chaos monkeys and didn't know what our family would look like with a new babe.

it turns out we didn't have a thing to worry about, little one. from the moment you arrived you've been the happiest baby i've ever met. just like your brothers, you charm the people around you and endear yourself to everyone.

when we came home from the birth center that night, john and charlie fell in love and immediately wanted to hold you and love you. you fit perfectly into a bean-shaped gap we didn't even know our family had.

you've brought smiles and laughs to every member of your family every one of these past 365 days. even when you feel icky, like today on your birthday, your dear spirit shines through and you bring such light into the world.

your daddy and i  are really grateful that god knew we needed you. your oldest brother says he prayed for you even tho we said that charlie was the last baby - whatever the way, thank you for being our joyful little bean, the littlest chaos monkey, and just a fantastic little dude.

goodnight, sweet one-year-old ben. i love you.

love,
your lucky mommy

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