Today is a good day — Craig turns 33! I love celebrating birthdays, and this one is no exception, because it’s his first birthday as a daddy! That has to make it the best one ever, right?

It’s been one heck of a year for this guy…

At the end of 2014, Craig quit his insurance job that he’d been at for almost 9 years and in early Jan 2015, he started working in the agriculture business with my dad and brother. Regarding work, I’ve never seen him happier!

He found out on Jan 2nd that he was going to be a daddy! We spent the next many months preparing our home, hearts, and lives to welcome our baby.

He brought his beloved Super Sport (his first car) down to GA to start restoring it during downtime at work. It’s still a work in progress, but I know he’s so excited to get it back in working order so he can take it for a joy ride and relive the glory days of high school. 🙂

In April, he learned that he was going to be seriously outnumbered, because baby Hayes was a GIRL!!

His handy skills (which are one of my many favorite things about him) got put to use big time this summer with the renovation of my parents’ new home in Marietta. Deck building, tons of demo work, installing a 24′ beam in the ceiling, drywalling, kitchen backsplash tiling, AC duct work in the attic in the middle of a hot GA summer… I think he’s a legitimate home renovator now!

We celebrated several family and friends’ weddings with fun out-of-state trips and also babymooned in Puerto Rico.

On September 10th, his life changed forever when his daughter Leighton was born! Craig quickly jumped in and took charge with diaper changing and swaddle wrapping at the hospital, and he has been the sweetest, most loving daddy to his baby girl.

So after this monumental year that was 32, I can’t wait to see what 33 brings you, babe! I love you with all my heart, and watching you become a dad to our baby girl has made me love you even more every single day. I hope you have the happiest of birthdays (and maybe she’ll even let us get some sleep)!