Happy 1st Birthday Jake

Dear Jake,

Happy 1st Birthday sweetie! We can't believe one year ago today we welcomed you into the world. Although we had spent nine months preparing for you, nothing could have prepared us for the overwhelming love and joy we felt when you finally arrived. We had heard every parent cliche out there...from "you life is totally about to change" to "enjoy your sleep now!". But the one that holds the most true is "Enjoy them while they are young...it goes by so fast".

As we look back on your first year of life we are in awe of how much you've changed and grown from the adorable, tiny, helpless baby to an even more adorable, happy, curious, playful toddler. Our happiest moments are the quiet, everyday moments that we share as a family...your Dad and I spend every night night before we go to sleep talking about you and all the cute things you did that day such as playing peek-a-boo with your napkin during dinner time or the way you bounce your arms up and down as you dance to the music. Our whole world has been centered around you and we wouldn't have it any other way.

So on your birthday, friends and family gathered at the San Francisco Zoo to help you celebrate your big day! We are truly lucky to have so many friends and family share in your special day. We know that you changing and growing will only go faster from here and there will be many more birthdays to come. But like all your other "first moments", we will hold on to this one just a little bit tighter...and a little bit longer.

Love,

Mom & Dad

Jake enjoys his birthday cupcake and his first (and only until his next birthday) bite of sugar.

The Vietnamese culture has a tradition that on a child's first birthday, an assortment of everyday household items (books, pens, calculator, etc...) are set out and whatever item the child picks up and plays with, that item is a prediction for what he or she will be when they grow up. Jake picked up several items but ended up playing with the pen. So if the tradition is accurate, Jake will be a writer!

Cousin Elise helps Jake open his birthday gift from Auntie Trang, Uncle Steve and Cousins Elise and Sean...a Thomas the Train train set!

Riding around in the neighborhood on his tricycle, a gift from Uncle Glen!

Jake gets a little help from Mom and Dad blowing out his first birthday candle.