Dear Baby Girl,

Today you are technically not a baby any more, however you will always be my baby girl!  I have a feeling that you’ll be 18 and I’ll still be calling you baby girl.  I’d apologize, but you are my baby, so you’ll just have to learn how to deal with it.

Right about now one year ago today, we were in the recovery room at Tacoma General.  We were probably sleeping or trying to figure out that breastfeeding thing. I will never forget the feeling when they first placed you on my chest. My heart swelled and I don’t think I truly understood a mother’s love until that point. I was exhausted but elated, I had done it, you were here.

It was a long 24 hours – We arrived at TG about 24 hours before you were born and went through 12 hours of cervidil.  We took some time after that finished to see if you’d start showing up.  A few hours later the contractions started up!  It was exciting and terrifying all at once.  Then they went from nice easy contractions to a little stronger and I knew it wouldn’t be long before you were here.  Unfortunately, they also started doubling and tripling up and I quickly was getting exhausted.  Between your dad and the nursing staff, I managed to make it through and you arrived in this world a perfect little darling at 4:39am, weighing all of 6lbs 13oz.

You were so tiny! Even though I’ve been around babies much of my life, there’s a difference when it’s your own. They placed you on my chest honestly, there are no words to describe everything I felt in that moment. Your daddy gave us some time and then he held you for the first time. Yes, there were tears. Don’t let him tell you otherwise. To take it out of context, my heart grew three sizes that day!

Last night we gave you your bath, read you your stories and you and I settled in for your bedtime nursing session as a ‘baby.’ Normally, you nurse, get sleepy and go down in your crib half asleep, but last night I needed, for me and my silly emotions, to hold you and rock you to sleep. When you were born you fit so easily on my chest. Last night your head was on my arm, your cheek resting on your favorite pillow and your knees were at my hip with your little feet hanging off my hip. How did that happen? When did you get so big? I swear, it was just yesterday that we were at the hospital waiting for you.

Yet here we are, one year later! It’s been amazing watching you grow and learn! You’ve gotten 4 teeth in, are walking all over and attempting to run. You chatter up a storm, but don’t have any true words yet. You love blueberries and feeding the dog. When daddy comes home, your grin is so big and you can’t wait for him to pick you up. You hate the feeling of grass on your feet, but love playing with it. You give amazing snuggles when you’re in the mood, but otherwise, you’d rather be off doing your own thing. Bath time is always a favorite, though if we have to shower, you aren’t quite sure about that. When you get to watch t.v., you live Sesame Street… The classics of course!

Your mom is silly and sentimental, but I was sorta glad when I realized that due to the time change between Washington and Georgia, you were awake and cuddling with me when we hit that one year mark on the dot.

You are amazing and filled a part of me that I didn’t realize was empty. As much as there are days you’ve frustrated Daddy and I, I wouldn’t give up the last year for all the money in the world. I love you baby girl! To the moon and back, and more than all the stars in the sky.

Happy birthday!

Love,

Mommy