A Letter To My Little Miss

Dear Hailey,

One year ago today you were born. I had been in the hospital since the morning before. My water had broken early Friday morning. By Saturday morning I was very ready for you to born. You were being quite stubborn though, with your face pointing up towards my tummy instead of down towards my back, and you wouldn't budge. The doctor was worried because I had been in labor for 35 hours and he was concerned about both of our heart rates and my temperature. He decided he would do an emergency c-section.

Finally at 1:34 pm you were born. You didn't cry at first and I remember looking at Daddy and he looked quite worried. I was scared and wanted to know what was going on. I couldn't talk because of all of the anesthesia but I was screaming inside my head, "Why isn't my baby crying?" It felt like an eternity, but 45 seconds later you let out a weak cry. Later I found out that not only did you have the umbilical cord around your neck, but that you also were not breathing and the doctors were working on you trying to help you to breathe.

The nurse brought you over to us so that we could see you. Daddy held you while I looked at the precious little miracle in his hands. You instantly held my heart in the palm of your teeny, tiny hands.

A lot has changed since that day. It just doesn't seem possible that a year has already passed. My little baby girl is already a one. We brought home a helpless little infant who has grown into an independent little toddler. You learned how to roll over, then sit up, then crawl, creep, and finally walk. You move quickly all over the house and get into everything.

You love books. Many times during the day you bring me a book and hand it to me, looking up at me with those beautiful, big blue eyes and wait for me to read it to you. One of your favorite toys is always the water bottle that I am trying to drink out of. Water bottles fascinate you and love the sound they make when you shake them.

You think that Dottie is here to entertain you. You would be happy to follow her around the house all day trying to pet her and touch her paws. Dottie runs to hide under the bed or behind the couch when she sees you coming at her, smiling that mischievous little smile you have.

You love to play with Daddy. He chases you around the house and you screech and laugh and try to get away. You love to blow raspberries on Mommy and Daddy's tummies. You think it's just great that it makes us laugh.

You are such a happy, friendly little girl. You always have a smile for everyone (unless the person is a photographer, of course). You have a giggle that melts my heart.

So often I just watch you with wonder. I wonder what you're thinking about. I wonder who you will be someday and what your hopes and dreams will be. But mostly, I wonder I got to be so blessed to have you.

I am so thankful for you and I love you more than I can possibly put into words. And even though your hands have gotten a bit bigger, you still hold my heart in the palm of your teeny, tiny hands.

Happy 1st Birthday!

Love,
Mommy