My sweet, baby girl. If the years ahead go by as fast as this past year has, we're in for a quick ride! As I write this, I recall this time last year... I was just admitted to the hospital to have you (but it would be another 12+ hours before you arrived). Then you finally came and disappeared to the NICU for the next 10 days. During those times, I knew you would be alright, but I couldn't wait to bring you home.
Here we are a year later and I cannot believe how it has flown by! I don't want to recount a bunch of things you can read in your scrapbook. I just want you to know a few things about what I've enjoyed about you this past year.
1) You are here! I still can't believe it... and it's been a year! I'm so thankful that God finally brought you into our lives.
2) I love the way your daddy absolutely melts with you. Ever since you were born, the smallest glimmer of attention you gave to him as if to say "I love you" (which has been in many forms such as an incredibly well-timed burp or toot, the steady looks you give him, the smiles, the laughs, the conversations we can't understand yet) has constantly captured his heart. Yes... he's a goner for you... but I don't see that as a bad thing.
3) Going to Walmart. This may sound weird, especially since it can be frustrating at times (like those first few months when I'd try to feed you while pushing/steering the cart and holding the carrier in place), but the attention you get never ceases to amaze me. The way people talk to you - and you talk back to them - and the way you give smiles to pretty much all you come in contact with - always receiving smiles in return... you are a social-bug like your daddy, that's all there is to it.
4) I know a lot of these seem to have to do with Daddy, but he is "the fun one" after all. I love watching how excited you get when he comes home. And how, lately, you'll see him grab his phone and/or keys and immediately start saying "bye-bye" and waving. You get upset at night if you haven't spend enough time with Daddy... melting him enough to give you all the time you want with him. I love watching you play with him and the way he makes you laugh.
5) I love our bedtime routine. It's getting a bit more difficult for me to make it out of the recliner while holding you, but I still enjoy getting to read to you and sing to you, all while rocking you. And then there are those times I take you back to your room, as Daddy says "nighty-night" and you just start saying "bye-bye" and waving... cracks us up.
6) I love watching you talk to your toys. I always wonder what's going through your mind and what you are really saying, but it never gets old to watch you try to interact with things.
7) I love it when a song comes on that you like and you start dancing. I can only hope that your dancing abilities are far better than mine! (You've always had a good sense of rhythm though... so there's a start.)
8) I love watching you be outside. The look of awe and wonder has always been all over your face when you are out there. The way you used to try to capture the sunlight or the wind in your little hand, the way you try to "catch" wind in your mouth... you are always happy if you are outside - another of your Daddy's qualities.
9) I love the way you show excitement with your whole body, especially your legs! Whether we're playing or you see Daddy come home, I love watching those legs start going and you squeal with delight!
10) I love watching you with your stuffed animals. If they "give you kisses" you practically maul them right back.
11) I love that one of your first words was "pretty"... though it sounds more like "pahity"... and that you say it most every time I open your closet.
12) I love to watch you with jewelry. Your fascination with it has been there since birth and it absolutely cracks me up. You love accessories that sparkle, and notice when something is missing.
Abigail, there's so much more I could write, I'm sure, but my eyes are heavy and you'll be awake before I know it. But as the clock begins to switch over to your actual birthday, I want you to know a couple of things:
*I love you so very much. Your daddy loves you as if you were the only daughter ever born in this world. We will not be perfect parents... but everything we do, I hope, will always be out of love and for your best (as best we know how).
*Our love is incomparable to the love God has for you. I hope His love is something you will never doubt, but will always cling to. I pray you will come to know and love Him from an early age... and that you will continue to follow Him and grow in a relationship with Him for the rest of your life.
Father, we thank You for the past year with Abigail, the precious gift You have entrusted to our care. We thank You for the blessing she is and the joy she brings to our lives. I know there are times we get frustrated, but thank You for carrying us through. Thank You for Your protection and special care over her this past year. You have taught me so much with her and I look forward to watching her grow up with the sibling You're sending us in a few months. Thank You for loving us the way You do. She's been more than I ever dreamed she'd be to us... and DEFINITELY worth the wait. Thank You so much!
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