Happy Birthday to my Baby Boy

Exactly one year ago today, our son Caden Jacob Epperson was born. Today is his very first birthday, and as we celebrated today, I couldn't help but think back to one year ago and all the events that took place:
2:30am: Being awoken with stomach pains, thinking I was "sick" because I was so excited and nervous about being induced in a few hours.
4:30am: Finally waking Jon up because these "sickness pains" were strangely 3 minutes apart.
6:00am: Arriving at the hospital and trying to explain that although I was scheduled to be induced at 7am, I was here early because I was in labor.
8am: Being surprised by my sister, who flew in the night before so she could be there for Caden's brith. 2nd to my engagement, the BEST surprise of my LIFE! I don't think I could have done it without her!!! She is the best birthing coach EVER!
9:45: My new best friend the epidural came. Oh heaven.
4pm: Bethany coming to visit and "hang out" while I labored. (I will never forget how B was so amazed at the clear difference between natural laboring (no pain management) and an epidural labor. We got to chat it up! Quite the contrast to her experience, so she tells me.)
4:45pm: Clear the room---this baby is coming! Push!
5:27pm: Caden in born!

Jon and my lives changed at 5:27pm a year ago today. And what a year its been.
Full of so many amazing memories--some really hard times, but even more wonderful times.
Caden is the best thing that has ever happened to us, and we love him more than we could have imagined. How the year has flown by, and he seems to change more and more each day, transitioning from "baby Caden" into a little boy. We are so blessed that God has given us this gift and this responsibility to raise Caden. Its the hardest things I've ever done--letting part of your heart just crawl around and be seperate from you on a daily basis. Out of your control, out of your arms. But as many people told me before he was born, it is the BEST thing I will ever do. And I love it. I love being Caden's mama.
So Happy Birthday to my firstborn, my son, Caden Jacob.
You have made us feel more love then we thought possible, grow more than we thought we could as people and parents, and laugh and smile on a daily basis just looking at your face.
God has blessed us with you, and we can't wait to see what He will bring each day of this next year in your life. Mama and Dada love you!!
( I tried to post a pic here but my computer is being lame again! Oh well..picture a tiny baby Caden. :) Adorable.)