Dear Lissie,
Oh, Liss. I've been both absolutely dreading and eagerly anticipating this day for a while now. I've been dreading it because I know it means that babydom is coming to an end. My sweet, tiny little seven pound, fourteen ounce baby is no more. Sigh. I wanted to cry when I placed your birthday cake order at the bakery the other day. In fact, I did manage a few tears when I picked up your birthday balloon and other decorations for your big weekend.
But, as a wise friend recently shared with me, this is a far cry from the end. Now the fun begins. You're becoming a CHILD, instead of a helpless baby. Soon, you'll be full-on walking, instead of needing some help from the nearest person or piece of furniture. You'll be running around at the park, playing with your friends. You'll be talking and using your words to make your point be known. You'll be asserting your independence. You'll be learning and observing and taking everything all in. You'll be a big sister. And it will all be fabulous.
But, boy, has it been quite the year! No matter how many times I was told that things will change so fast after having a baby, I didn't believe it. How in the world did you manage to go from a tiny little munchkin who woke up every three hours and didn't do much in your waking moments except stare and cry and eat and poop and then, in 366 days, transform yourself into a soon-to-be-toddler who sleeps through the night and eats pretty much anything in sight and has a blast being outside and playing with your toys and friends?
You have changed my life, sweet girl. Never would I have guessed that something so tiny would've totally done a number on my heart.
As much as I'm probably going to cry today as we celebrate as a family, and then tomorrow as we celebrate with your friends, I'm not sad. Not really. I'm just a bit nostalgic about how wonderful you are, and how I wouldn't change it all for anything else. And I am excited for more birthday celebrations to come.
I love you, Felicity. More than you'll ever know. Happy happy first birthday.
Love,
Mommy
You're as ready as ever to be one!
