Dearest little girl, you are at this very moment 1 year old. This morning when you woke up, you were almost there, but just as Ahna wouldn't have wished me a happy birthday, I didn't wish you one yet, but now the time has arrived and you are finally 1. Finally seems such a silly thing to say, after all this year has pasted in such a whirlwind that at times I feel like I've blinked and missed milestones that I should have noticed.

This weekend, as I try to catch up your scrapbook, I have looked at the many pictures we've taken off you over this past year, and I marvel at how much you have grown. Like all babies you have progressed from a tiny and helpless creature to an increasingly active child with your own unique personality. In the last week in particular you have tried to assert your independence by clearly demonstrating what it is you want and when you want it, in the last week you have also shown the first since of a temper that we didn't know you had. However, you are still pure sunshine almost all day, every day.

Despite the fact that you are quickly approaching toddlerhood, you have a babiness that your brother didn't have. A babiness that I love. You are still so cuddly and love to lay your head against my chest, suck your thumb while I rock and sing to you. I never get tired of cuddling with you. I never tired of watching you suck your thumb as you drift off to sleep either for that matter. One day you'll have to give it up, but no time soon.

Last night for the first time you were so caught up with watching Britt play his guitar that you let go of the couch and stood for about 30 seconds, until you tried to reach and step for him and fell. For a moment you forgot you were afraid and you forgot that you weren't holding on to anything and only saw what was ahead of you. Life is like that sometimes, you don't see anything around you, only what is ahead of you. I don't know what life has in store for you little miss, but I do know that where ever you go you will have Daddy and Momma's love, and the Lord will always be there to watch over you.

Love,

Momma