>>> first birthday

My darling Elsie,

Today is your first birthday. I snuggled you extra long last night before bed, realizing you wouldn't be a baby when you woke up. I can't believe it's really been a whole year since you were born. I took you to our old house today and showed you where I labored at home with you, and wondered just what you'd be like. We drove by the hospital and a flood of nostalgia and joy came over me as I thought about the first moment I held you and kissed you. I worked hard for you, sweetheart, and you were worth it all.

That day, a year ago, started a whole new life for us. A life I never dreamed could be so good. I watched you at your birthday party the other day and was in awe that you're mine. You, full of sweetness, tenacity, and joy, are all ours! It has been a complete joy being your mama. You have showed me how a love deeper than I've ever known. I just love doing life with you!

I know I always say it, but getting to watch your personality unfold, and to see you become a little lady has been so fun. You're crawling like crazy, but are taking your sweet time learning to walk. You adore being outside and even more if there are animals out there. I'm waiting for the day you somehow talk us into getting you a kitten. I could watch you play outside for hours, as you point to everything and observe every little blade of grass, and taste anything you can. Whenever you hear a bird or a plane you point at it and look at me as if saying "Mom did you see that too?!"Your first words where, "Oh Yeah". I'm not even kidding. And it still cracks us up every time you say it. You love playing with older kids, and your Daddy is the apple of your eye. I melt watching the two of you together.

We had your dedication this last weekend and I beamed with pride as we prayed over you and dedicated your life to the Lord. I pray that you fall in love with Jesus from a young age and grow in his tenacious love for you. I pray that you have a heart to love and bless others, and will help make the world more beautiful, as you reach out your hands to help those in need. I pray that you always keep your sense of wonder at the beauty around you, and that you pull that beauty out of people. Showing them the way God sees them. And, I pray that you see yourself the way that God sees you.

This year, I can't wait to travel with you, to blow even more hundreds of bubbles in the backyard, to giggle at the waves on the beach, and keep snuggling before bed. I'm excited to start watching you walk and eventually twirl and eventually dance. I can't even wait to hear what your little voice sounds like when you sing. And I'm so excited to watch you be a big sister, one day. But for now, I'm soaking up every day with you because it is perfection.

You're Daddy and I love you so much, sweet girl.
xo

{Photo by your amazing Auntie Kimmy :: Kim Koop Photography}

january letter

To my girl,

You are eight and a half months old and I keep falling deeper in love with you and adoring you even more, if that's even possible. I beam with pride as your dad and I watch new facets of your personality seep through and you gain more independence. What a fun age this is! You are a little social butterfly. You let anyone hold you, stranger or friend. The other day we were in the store and this sweet old lady came up and was gushing over you. She put her hand on your cheek and smiled at you. Without missing a beat, you placed your chubby little hand on her weathered cheek and you both just stood there smiling at each other for what felt like minutes, not needing to say anything. I feel like that sums you up so well. My sweet little spirit, always showing people your joy.

You're in such an age of discovery... and the fact that you're crawling definitely helps as you discover more. You're favorite thing lately is getting your hands on anything in the cabinets and whatever you can pull off of shelves. I'm pretty much constantly chasing you around. But, oh, does it make me happy when you find a book and squeal with delight as you turn each page carefully looking at what's on it. It's one of the the few things that will make you stop what you're doing and sit still. That's pretty rare these days. Although I did walk downstairs yesterday morning, and you and your Grandma had been sitting outside for about a half an hour, just staring at the rain... perfectly content. That's my girl. Your daddy and I got engaged in the rain, we were married outside in the rain, and you were born on a rainy day. It's my absolute favorite, and I love that you love it too.

It's been quite an interesting month, as you are doing more on your own. I know it would seem like that would make my life easier, but it really has only made it harder. You got so excited with crawling and pulling yourself up onto everything, that you decided to stop nursing, eating food, and napping during the day, and let's just say you're giving your mama a run for my money. It's changed the whole dynamic of what life looks like. Sometimes I daydream about the days when you'd nap on me for hours, or even play contently by my feet all afternoon, and I think how different it is now. But then, I watch you squeal with delight as you watched the flamingoes at the zoo for the first time, or as you taste food off of the table that we're eating. And I remember that every season with you is beautiful and challenging in different ways. I'm soaking up every day. The good and the ugly.


Your dad and I went on a date the other night and daydreamed about this summer and all the fun things we're going to do as a family. We can't wait for more family hikes, roadtrips, beach days, and are dying to take you on your first camping trip! Your one year birthday is just around the corner, and I need you to do me a favor. Just stop growing up, ok?! I need you to be my baby forever.

I love you more than you'll know, sweet girl. Being your mama is the best thing I've ever done.
xo