To my darling daughter on your first birthday,

How are have you been in our lives one whole year? And how has this year gone faster than any other I've lived? It hardly seems fair.

Watching you grow and observing the amazing things you've accomplished in 365 days has been the greatest joy of my life. We didn't know much when we brought you home, but we knew that we loved you so much it was scary, and that we would spend our lives trying to keep you safe and happy.

In one short year, you've turned from a 6.8 pound baby who did nothing but cry, nurse, pee and poop, to a little girl full of personality, opinions, and charm. You crawl, you point, nod and "talk" to get your message across, your favorite toys are books (and you want us to read to you over and over and over), you give kisses and hugs, try so hard to get your Penny-dog to play with you (sadly, to no avail), love being outdoors - walking, swinging, even just watching the big kids play, love music and music class, and little makes you happier than water - tubbies and swimming. Your "maternal" instinct is already so strong: you love babies - real and dolls - hugging, kissing and rocking them.

I see so many things about how fast it all goes, and if the first year is any indication, I feel like I'm going to blink and you'll be in college. I spend my days trying hard to meet you where you are, staying patient and calm and smothering you with love. And when the tables turn and you give me an unexpected hug or kiss, I absolutely melt.

Your innocence is incredible, and I want so badly for you to hang on to it as long as possible. My greatest wish for you, my dear, is that you grow to love, trust and respect yourself, and I will do everything in my power to make sure that happens. I don't pretend to be perfect, but my love for you is and always will be. I will apologize when I mess up because I want you to see that life is full of stumbles and mistakes, but it's how you handle them that defines you. I will work so hard to be kind and loving to all people so that you see the value and worth in everyone, including myself so that you, in turn, see it in yourself.

You are my greatest gift and I hope with all my heart and soul that you grow up knowing just how special you are.

Eleanor Claire, you are loved beyond measure, and if the years to come are even remotely close to the one we've just had, it's going to be an incredible life watching you grow.

To the moon and back,
Mom