Happy Birthday, Everett Jon!

You are one cool kid. I'm not kidding, you have an awesome personality!

You are so easy-going, but by far not a pushover. You know what you want and you go for it!

That being said, here are the signs you know up-to-date:

More

All Done
Drink

Pretty much all the ones I'm consistent with. I need to start signing food, more, but I always know when you're hungry, so I slack on that one (umm, when aren't you hungry?!)

You have a twinkle in your eyes. You're trouble, I know it! I love it! We discovered that you know how to "throw fits". It took a month for me to learn that you putting your face on the ground out of frustration was a fit! (Thank you, Aleja and Bobbi for pointing it out!).

I love the fire you posses, yet your will doesn't seem to be too strong. Great combo, Baby!

Believe it or not, you've slimmed down a bit, but you still are a big boy. Your chubbiness isn't very squishy, it's actually all muscle. You are a natural football player. Both of your Papa's had/have broad shoulders, so I know this is where your build comes from.

You love talking. You're a mouthy little fellow. Your words to-date (you've said quite a few words, but I'm only documenting words you recognize and use in context):

Dada

Mama
Carter (Darda)

Doggie

Ball
Book

Truck

Princess (just kidding, but had to throw a little contrast in there!)

We named you Everett, because we loved the strength that it possessed, and wouldn't you know it means "Strong"? Of which you are, my son! With your sad start in the NICU, the nurses named you "Mighty Man" as you would pull all of your tubes out of your nose and arms! You rarely cry when you get hurt and you have had more black eyes, bumps and bruises than Carter has had his entire life.

Your middle name is Jon, after Papa. His name means "God is Gracious". Your Papa is a giving, strong, and passionate man, loved by many, and our prayer is that you will be the same.

We pray daily for your character, who you will become, your heart. We pray for your future spouse and her family, that she will be raised in a happy and healthy home, learning to love God and serve him. We pray (like my parents did, to my dismay!) that you and your brother will be caught for whatever you do so that we can hold you accountable both emotionally and spiritually. It's a gift that I believe taught your uncles and I a lot through the years and we hope to pass it on to you (one day, you will thank us for it!).

Know that now, at this moment you are sleeping soundly in a room shared with your brother. Our hope is that you have loving relationships with your siblings. I know your big brother loves you so much! And as you get closer in development, we are so eager to watch you become closer and closer. We are a bit saddened at this mark as your first year has flown by. You've grown up much faster than a firstborn as your little eyes are always focused on big brother and you mimic everything he does. Case and point: I just watched you load his nerf gun and try to caulk it. You're too smart, kiddo! We love you. Have a wonderful year!

Love, Daddy, Mommy, and Carter