On July 12, 2018 at 8:47 am, our whole world changed as we heard your first sweet cries. And now exactly one year later, I'm STILL sometimes wrapping my head around the fact that God gave me a daughter.
One year in, I feel like we haven't even scratched the surface of all the fun we're going to have, the love we're going to share, the memories we're going to make. Those early months are always a whirlwind, and Daddy and I both agree that these past 12 months have gone by so very fast.
And now right before our eyes, you're turning into this little person. Your spicy side makes us laugh, makes us think about the future you - as a two year old, a preschooler, a teenager! You toss your hands all over your high chair tray when you've had enough food, making as much of a mess as possible. You swat our hands or faces away when you don't want us so close. You chase Lucy cat, squeeze her tail and like to pull on her ears. Right now you HATE sitting still long enough get your diaper changed or get your clothes put on or taken off. You want to be moving at all times - crawling, standing, walking, exploring. You like to bang on things with your plastic spoon, and when you aren't trying to stand up in the bathtub, you're making the biggest splashes you possibly can, soaking whomever is sitting alongside you by the tub. And when Mommy tries to put a bow in your hair, you almost always immediately yank it out. ;)
And then there's your sugary, sweet side. I call you my little sugar bear, a nickname that just popped out during one of your first days at home with us after birth, and the nickname has stuck. You love, love, love your family. You're happiest when we're all in the same room together, your face lights up the minute you spot one of your boys or Daddy, you give me the biggest grins when I arrive at daycare to pick you up, and though you aren't much of a cuddler, you sweetly lay your head on our shoulders for brief moments whenever you want to show your love or receive some back. You love to look out our big picture window and watch the skies and the trees and the birds and the squirrels. You are always happy to see your friends at daycare. And you have the sweetest little giggle - typically caused by us tipping you upside down, tickling you, dancing with you in the living room or playing "shake it off" - a post-meal game we play by standing you up on the table and shaking all the food crumbs off of your clothes and body when you're done eating. :) And your little "wave" you give to any and everyone - animal or person or cartoon - when you just want to say hi. It melts me all over again every time you do it.
Writing your first birthday letter, I'm sitting here mostly at a loss for words because I've already said so much about you and what you mean to me for the last 12 months now. But I'm also still just in awe of you and God's plans. I love everything about you - from your pretty blue eyes to your wild and rapidly growing hair - to the way you curl your toes under like your mama and how you clap your hands and squeal really loudly when you demand attention.
I'm also so torn about celebrating your first birthday already. You're not a baby anymore - you're a toddler. And I will miss so much about the baby years, especially knowing you are our last, but I'm also so excited to watch you continue to grow and develop. We're so excited to see you take your first steps on your own, to watch you be able to explore the world from a whole new angle. Your brothers can't wait until you really start talking, and Daddy can't wait for you to get interested in all the Disney and kids movies so you two can watch your favorites together. And myself? There's so much to look forward to with you. But I'm also soaking up where we're at right now. My sweet little girl, you are indeed a princess in all of our eyes.
We love you to the moon, baby girl. Happy birthday.
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