Happy First Birthday, Scarlett!

I had to include this one, it made us laugh. It looks like she’s growling.

Reality of taking photos of a baby

Scarlett Victoria,

Happy first birthday, my love! From the moment you rushed into our lives (you can read her birth story here) I knew you were extremely special. You were just as anxious to meet us as we were to meet you. I’ll never forget the moment we met. I was extremely excited, nervous, and didn’t know anything about motherhood. Then you wrapped your tiny arms around my neck and gave me a hug. I knew in that moment it was going to be okay and that God made me to be the best mom for you. When we tried to get pregnant with you, it was always disappointing when it didn’t happen in our time. God knew exactly what he was doing when he gave us you. Sometimes your dad and I talk about how much of a miracle it is that God chose you for us.

For 9 months of pregnancy, I daydreamed what you would be like. I felt extremely bonded to you before we even met and I truly have never felt a love like I felt when I first met you. You are more perfect than I could have ever dreamed of.

You are a gift from God and I thank Him for you every single day. I pray for you everyday and pray for wisdom as I raise you. I hope to be a good example and to raise you to most of all be kind. I would do absolutely anything for you. Every new milestone has been a gift. Seeing you learn something new and how happy you are gives me so much joy. I never pictured myself as a girl mom, but God had a plan for me. It has been the absolute best and a dream come true. All of your sweet outfits and girly things make me so happy. I know God gave me you to be my best friend. I pray that you will always think of me as your best friend too.

What a year your first year of life has been. You’ll read about the year you were born in history books someday. In some ways it’s been one of the hardest years of my life, being isolated, hardly able to see family (unless they quarantined for a long time before) and the fear of getting COVID. You still haven’t met a lot of your family yet, but I cannot wait for that to change at your birthday party. Your entire family loves you with their whole hearts. It’s been hard, but we did this to keep you safe. It was scary having your dad working in the hospital around COVID patients, but he took every single precaution possible to keep you safe. Your dad is the hardest worker I know and I am so thankful for the sacrifices he has made to provide a wonderful life for us. I am grateful his hard work gives me the opportunity to stay at home with you. It’s been such a gift to be home with you as you grow each day.

Even in the hard times this year, it’s without a doubt been the best year of my life. I know God has beautiful plans for you and He have gave me you to get through this year.  I don’t know how I would’ve survived this last year without you. You’ve been such a bright shining light during a year of darkness. I am also thankful that we’ve been able to slow down this year and make the most of all this time together. Your beautiful smile lights up my eyes and your laugh is like music to my years. You give me the greatest joy I’ve ever felt.

We breastfed exclusively for 6 months and we still nurse at this point. What a journey it has been (I’ll write more about that someday). I was nervous about nursing and didn’t think I would be able to do it long. But you grabbed my hand during one of the first times we nursed and I knew in that moment it would be okay. 12 months later we still nurse and I enjoy getting to snuggle with you 4 times a day. I never thought I would nurse for this long and don’t have any plans to stop yet (largely due to the COVID antibodies you get from nursing).

There have been some hard times this year with some slow weight gain issues for you, but you have fought hard and grown like a weed lately. You certainly love food and seeing you try new ones is so fun. You make me so proud and I know you will do great things in life.

I’m sure someday you will laugh at me when you see how many photos I took of you. I will never regret capturing all of the memories. When I was pregnant I said I would not be a mommy blogger, but I am so proud of you and cannot help but show you off. Being a mom has been the hardest but most rewarding job. The days are sometimes long, but this year has flown by.  I cannot believe you’re one (on Friday). I cannot wait to see you grow into a beautiful young lady. Every stage keeps getting better and I know the best is yet to come.  There are truly no words to express how much you mean to me and how much I love you. I know your Pep-Pep (dad’s nickname to himself) feels the exact same way as I do.

We love you with all of our heart!

Love,
Mom

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