Elizabeth's birthday letter

Someone inspired me to write a letter to Elizabeth for each of her birthdays, which I will save and give to her when she's grown. Here's the very sappy 1st letter:

May 6, 2006

Dear Elizabeth,

It’s so hard to believe that my baby girl is one year old. This year has passed so quickly for me. I remember forcing myself to sit still and just hold you the first few weeks that you were home, thinking each day, “This is the only day my baby will be 2 days old, I’m going to sit here and enjoy it.” Then, 2 turned into 3, 4, 5, etc…. I ignored the dirty dishes, the work e-mails, and even my sheer exhaustion just to hold you. And, now, I’m so glad that I did. Just holding you puts life into perspective for me. And I still enjoy holding you every night before you go to bed, cherishing every minute I get to spend with my baby girl.

You have grown so much this year. I still can’t believe how big you are now - and how much fun! You make us smile and laugh all the time…from the funny way you pant your sign for “dog,” to the way you do your little dance whenever you hear music, to the way your face lights up when you see your doll “LouLou,” and even to the way you’re always lifting up my shirt to find my bellybutton and “tickle” me. Everything is new and exciting for you, and it makes everything new and exciting for me too. You now have your 2 bottom teeth (finally!), you’re crawling all over the place, you’re starting to talk and communicate, and you’re turning into such a wonderful little girl. But, even though you are no longer my tiny baby, you still are so snuggly and cuddly with us, which is so wonderful. I hope you will always stay my SnuggleBug.

Your father and I have already prayed so much for you. Even before you were born, we prayed to get pregnant…we prayed for a healthy baby…we prayed for you to stay in a few weeks longer while I was on bedrest…and now that you’re here, I still pray for you every day. I pray that I will be a good mom, and will be able to provide you with a firm foundation to grow on. I pray that you will stay the same loving, happy person that you already are. I pray that you will grow up to truly know God and to love him. And, every day, I thank God for giving you to me. You are such a blessing to our family. Every time I see you with your Daddy, I love him even more, because he is just so wonderful with you. And, you bring a smile to your big brother Jonathan that is different than any he ever had before you were born. You have truly made all of us a family.

Happy 1st Birthday, Little Bit. I love you!

Mommy