Happy 1st Birthday

Oh Eliza, how can you be 1 year old already? It seems like just yesterday Daddy and I were in the hospital welcoming you into the world. I know everyone was completely surprised when we announced your arrival, but nobody was more surprised than Mommy and Daddy!

You may not have been ready to come out when the doctors delivered you, but you were such a little trooper. Even from that very first day, you showed us your determined and headstrong little spirit. You were holding your head up and squeezing fingers like you were weeks old when you were only just hours old. We would swaddle you up in your blankets, and you would fight like hell to bust just one arm out. You like things your way, and that’s just fine.

This last year has been full of first moments. Your first smile, your first tooth, your first giggle, and your first attempts at rebellion. As soon as you realized you could crawl, it was on. No matter how much I tried to keep you out of certain areas, or away from certain items, within minutes you were right where you weren’t supposed to be. I spent a good deal of time during this last year, chasing you down and removing rogue items from your mouth. But the thing is, you knew you were being a naughty little turd! You would flash me one of those super cute smiles and all I could do was shake my head and smile. Oh, Eliza Claire.

I know this next year will be full of more fun and more firsts and I am so lucky and so excited to be able to experience them with you. Your Daddy works very hard at his job, and it’s because he works so hard that I can stay at home and raise you girls. I couldn’t imagine not being with you every day, watching you learn, watching you grow. You are truly amazing, Eliza Claire and we love you so much. Happy 1st birthday little girl.