To my beautiful daughter. Today you are O N E.

To my beautiful daughter. Today you are O N E.

ONE: A whole 365 days. It feels like yesterday I was anxiously awaiting your arrival and now, a whole year has passed! You are already walking and talking… or mostly screaming with your very loud voice! It’s been the best year watching you grow up before our eyes.You, my Faith, are the light of our life. I always wondered what our bond would be like but from the moment I held you in my arms, skin-to-skin, I felt our connection. You opened your eyes right away and just stared straight into mine. It was the most beautiful thing!

You are something special. So, so very special. And not special like you have to be because you’re my daughter, but because there’s something so unique and magical about you. You have the ability to lighten up every room and make every situation brighter. You are a social butterfly, have the biggest heart, and love to walk up to strangers and give them a hug or sit on their laps. Your blue eyes and cute little smile are curious and inquisitive, sweet yet determine, and resourceful when you need to be. Everyday I watch you develop into a new, more mature version of yourself and I’m in awe of what you’re accomplishing and so proud of who you’re becoming.

I have already wished you Happy Birthday about 30 times since you woke up, even sang you Happy Birthday, and you still don’t know what on earth I’m talking about! I think the cheerios and bottle I gave you this morning gave you more excitement! You’ll learn in a year or two that it will be Princess or Spa parties with your little friends.

I can’t help but remember this beautiful day a year ago. You were born Monday evening at 10:23pm, induced 3 days before your due date. You gave us quite the scare when you got stuck, and the doctor had to do 7 maneuvers to get you bout, but they got you out! After what felt like minutes (probably only 20 seconds), your loud voice appeared in full force! You still have that loud and determined scream today. I thank God for finding the perfect woman to carry you for us - Heidi will forever be a huge part of our hearts. Thank you God!

You clung to me as soon as you were put on my bare chest. You had a soft cry but my heartbeat quieted you. You knew that I was your mother, your comforter, and that you were in good hands. I have never felt more love and peace than when I met you! The moment our eyes locked, there was the love I’d been searching for over the last 9 months.

This first year of your life has been a remarkable year of milestones! You started to walk when you were 10.5 months old, and are practically chasing after your brother these days. Each time you fall or get knocked down, you let out a scream, and get back up and start running again. You climb to the top of the stairs every day, several times a day, like you’ve just accomplished climbing a mountain. You have even figured out how to come down on your bum. The first thing you do in the morning when you wake up is look for your brother - making sure your partner in crime is around. Two little bunnies, pink and grey (your brothers) never leave your arms these days. You really love soft animals or blankets, and just cuddle up to them. You love to wave at every stranger and friend, blow kisses, give kisses (in which you bite my lips), give hugs, and clap your hands. Your big bright blue eyes draw everyone in and they just can’t get enough of you! You definitely have your way with people! You love to yell ‘mom’ when you need something, run to the door when daddy gets home and say ‘dada’, and wave and say ‘bye’ to everyone. You like to eat weird things like pickles and olives but you hate one thing in particular - your cooked carrots. No other vegetables or food seems to faze you. You love your hot tub or pool time… not so much your bath time - go figure!? Your little giggle is contagious! If you’re laughing, it is inevitable that I am laughing along with you! Like your brother, music is your second language; you are bouncing up and down when dad plays the guitar and love to get your hands on the piano. You love to be on the move, never standing or sitting still. My cupboard doors are always open with tupperware, cards, tea, and everything else in sight on the floor. The pantry is like your fort with your brother – you spend hours in there opening and closing the door, pulling things off the shelves, and creating a tornado! I think you like it so much because Everett sneaks crackers for you! I could go on and on about all the amazing things about you!

There’s so much untapped potential inside you, waiting to spring into life. You will discover lots in the next months and years, and others will wait five decades to be realized. This is the beautiful mystery of life and learning. Be brave, strong, kind and never give up! I’ll be your number one cheerleader and best friend in life!

You definitely have your priorities in order and know what you need. Love, hugs, quality time and space by yourself to explore. Food, water, sleep. Time spent outdoors with your feet and hands on the earth, and your skin kissed by the sun. Walks by the lake, or jumping right on in. Songs, music, and stories. More hugs.

Darling girl of mine, thank you for this first year. Thank you for teaching me and being patient with me. Thank you for your unconditional love, and your sloppy kisses.

I’ll love you forever, and beyond.

Your Mom xoxo

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