Dear Sweet Girl,
It’s been a whole year since your surprise debut, and you’ve been keeping us on our toes since! You have been the easiest baby; the happiest baby and just the breath of fresh air your momma needed. I prayed so hard for you. I prayed that you would fit perfectly into our family, helping us to all become one as a family of 4 without skipping a beat. God blessed us with you and heard our prayers, because it has been nothing short of a perfect year with you.
On June 1, 2015, we had no idea we would meet you just yet. We had plans for a scheduled repeat c-section surgery on the 10th and had no signs for you coming early. So I sent your daddy on a trip with his cousin and friends to celebrate their wedding. I stayed home with your sister, trying to get in those few last “nesting” to-do’s done. I got so much done that weekend that I remember feeling like you could come whenever you wanted to, as soon as your daddy got home.
He got home around 11pm on Sunday night and sure enough, I was in full blown labor by 5am Monday morning. I was SO glad that your daddy was home (very tired and not ready for me to be in labor, but home). It was just a few short hours before we headed to the hospital, found out we were having a baby LIKE NOW, and had you late that afternoon!
You were sweet, chunky and everything I imagined. You were already easy and you already made my heart double within those first few minutes. I worried that I wouldn’t love as much with the second baby, and your first glance at me quickly changed my heart. I loved you harder than I’d ever loved before. I learned to love two babies and feel love when you love your daddy and sister, too.
Family is so important. You love them so much and we all love you. You follow your sister around wherever she goes and try to do exactly what she is doing. I tell her daily to be a good example for you, because you are watching. You want to be just like her, and I can’t help but love that. I do pray that you will be your own person, though, because it’s important to chase your dreams and live your life while being your own little person.
Our bond is so special, angel girl, and I can’t even begin to tell you how I feel when I hold you. Snuggling you is my favorite thing to do, and I’m going to be so sad when our nursing journey is over for that reason. It’s the special time that we have just you and I, that we get to share in that special moment of just being together. You need me; but I need you more. You keep me sane, you show me love when I need it and you smile when I’m down which turns my day around.
We are so blessed. We are so so so blessed. God loves you more than you’ll ever understand. I hope you always seek His Will, always know that Jesus loves you and carry him in your heart daily. It’s important to show everyone Jesus’s love and grace. Be kind. Treat others how you want to be treated. Love deeply.
I could go on and on telling you how this year has changed me and how you taught me to love more deeply and be a better mommy. I could tell you how easy you are and how you’ve become the happiest little baby girl, making us laugh at your little dances while stealing your sister’s brownie. I could gush about those baby blue eyes and how you have your daddy wrapped around your little finger. I could explain to you how you’ve made the puzzle of our family fit together so perfectly, but really just want you to know how loved you are. You are incredibly loved by everyone around you. You are the happiest baby and the easiest baby, and you are so so loved.
On this day, I hope you feel an ounce of the love that we have for you. I hope you feel special today, and everyday, as well as every birthday for forever. I hope that you know that you are special everyday, and not just on your birthday. I hope you celebrate the little things and happy dance forever.
Happy First Birthday, our Lennie Kate. We will forever remember this year and how it changed our family to learn daily, laugh harder and love deeper.
Happy 1st Birthday, Lennie Girl!
