To my daughter on her first birthday…..

Today Ladybug you turn one year old. It’s hard for me to even type that sentence because I am still a little in denial that you are no longer a baby. But today you are officially a toddler. It seems like yesterday when we told Jonah that he was going to be a big brother and he proudly announced that he was excited to meet “his little sister” The funny thing is at that time we had no idea if we were having a boy or girl. But he knew.

My pregnancy with you was anything but smooth but worth every worrying moment I went through. I was on bed rest for six months, two of which were spent in the hospital. When the neonatologist would come in my room each week to explain to me the risks and outcomes of my high risk pregnancy and possible premature delivery, I prayed for you. I knew you were a fighter and a very determined little girl. For two months straight, I listened to your little heart beat twice a day. It was a sound that I found very comforting in my bleak room with four walls when Josh and Jonah or other family friends were not visiting. But in reality I was never really alone because you were there with me. I had many conversations with you before you were born. I would watch the heart rate monitor each day as you played little games with the nurses. They would find your heartbeat, setup the monitor, walk out of the room and as soon as they did, you would move away, setting off alarms at the nurses station. As soon as they would walk back in the room you would quickly move again and the heart rate monitor would start back up. They knew you were playing these games and they found it so cute and sweet and would rub my belly trying to coherce you back to your spot. I secretly think you really loved all the attention.

On April 2, 2009, Josh and I drove to the hospital and three hours later we welcomed you into the world and into our hearts. All three of us were immediately smitten with you. You were beautiful and so delicate. Our little miracle. Our little family of three became a perfect little family of four.

You are in one word “lovely”. And by that I mean you are truly loved in this family. You steal my heart with your big blue eyes. You have your daddy wrapped around your little finger. Jonah thinks you are “cooler than fruit loops and dragons” (his own words) and Riley has found a new best friend to play tug of war with.

This next year will be one of growth and excitement as you learn to talk and explore the world that surrounds you. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for you!

We love you!