Happy Birthday Evie!

Today is your first birthday. By most accounts, this is the beginning of your second year, the end of your babyhood, the beginning of toddlerdom.

I know that to you every day has been a long, arduous, tiring struggle as you have learned and mastered each new skill, from lifting your head, to rolling over to your first steps and now, to forming real, actual words. But you see, to me, I blinked and you morphed from a tiny little helpless baby, to a talking, walking, headstrong little girl. Every day is a new adventure with you and most days I’m just trying to keep you healthy and (who are we kidding) alive.

Everybody says that when you become a parent, you experience a love that can only be understood when you are a parent. I thought I knew what they meant before I had you; I had no idea. Getting you here was rough ride and by the time you were born, I was one tired momma. But the second they brought you to me and I saw your little face, all my pain and exhaustion melted away and an overwhelming wave of joy swept over me. I was overcome with love and a voracious desire to keep you safe and protected.

Every morning (even those really early mornings) when I go in to your room to scoop you up out of your crib, I am still overcome. I cannot believe that God gave you to me and that I have the privilege to be your mom and guide you through this world.

This first year has been eye opening and wonderful. I am amazed that you are already celebrating your birthday, but I am so excited to see what the next year has in store.

Happy birthday my sweet love!