Happy First Birthday, Sweet Girl!

Precious Girl,

Today you are ONE. One whole year! The past 12 months have been so wonderful and joyful with you in it. You have completed our little family. I have to admit I was nervous about adding another little person to the mix. Can I handle two kids? What am I going to do with a little girl? But, Elise, I can't imagine our little family without you. I see how much we needed you, how much I wanted you. You bring us joy everyday. You are perfect. 

You must have known that your brother put mommy and daddy through the ringer when he was a newborn. Thank you for going easy on us. When we brought you home, you were so squishy, round and perfect. I couldn't put you down. Before you were born, your daddy and I swore up and down that we were going to play hardball and put you down to sleep in your crib from the beginning. You can guess how that worked out. I was content snuggling you day and night. 

Looking at you is like looking at myself back in time. I just knew that you were going to have dark eyes, hair and skin like your daddy. I never thought you would be a spitting image of me. You are so round and perfect. You still only have two little teeth, bless your heart. Most people always comment on your cheeks and thighs. You get them honestly, baby girl, and will probably never outgrow them. 

Lately, you have been a real handful. Just about the only time you aren't into trouble is when you are asleep. I have fished lint, rocks, string and other things out of your mouth. When I'm not paying close enough attention, you empty out any drawer or cabinet you can get your hands on. You leave a path of destruction everywhere you go. You like to throw your food on the floor as well as your cup, look down and say "uh-oh." You pull up and cruise around every surface and have such fun pulling cups and plates on the floor. You are sneaky and you are fast. No matter what, you always seem to 'one-up' me. But then you are such a sweet angel. So precious. If you would let me I would hold you and kiss on your cheeks all day long. You love to sing. Right now your favorites are "Row, Row, Row Your Boat," "Patty Cake," "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," and "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." You love to sing along with me and can sound out parts of the song while you rock your body to the rhythm. 

You adore your brother and he can do no wrong in your eyes. You follow him all over the house and terrorize him. You will stop short of nothing just to make him laugh and when he does you just light up like a Christmas tree. He loves you so. Whenever you do something new he just beams with pride. He will run and tell me "Momma, Elise just stood up in the middle of the floor holding on to NOTHING!" He loves to tell other people every new trick you can do. He watches out for you and hates to see you upset. When you hurt yourself and cry, he cries too. Now that you have started to take over his toys, we have had a few brawls. You have been good for him. He needed you. It makes my heart swell to see you two grow together. You will never know life without him. 

You are also such a daddy's girl. You probably say "dada" more than any other word. When he walks in the door you take off on all fours as fast as you can go, whining all the way, like you can't believe he ever left you. He just adores you, Elise. He wanted a little girl so badly and you have had him wrapped around your finger since first glance. 

I am enjoying every minute with you. I am not ready for you to grow out of a baby yet.  It's almost as if you know I'm not ready so you have taken your time in doing things. Yesterday, you fell asleep in my arms while we were in the rocking chair, which you never do. So I just rocked you and snuggled your sweet head. I think you knew I needed that. You are my sweet, precious, angel baby and I thank God every day for you.