To My Daughter

Dear Emma,

One year ago, at 9:30 pm on June 12th, 2011, I was cuddled up on the couch with your Daddy watching Lebron James get destroyed in the NBA Finals. It was just me and him, with Sable and Bailey. There was no you. Not yet.

That night was one of the craziest nights of my life. Between the phone calls to the doctor, trying to convince him that I really was in labor, and then the quick 3 and half hours of labor, it was a whirlwind of a night. 

And then you were here.

Perfect, tiny, alert. 

And so smart already.

Every tiny bit of you was the most amazing thing I had ever seen in my life.

You honestly made our family complete.

The past year has been amazing.  

More amazing than I ever thought possible.

It was full of firsts.

Your first car ride, 

your first time time meeting the dogs,

your first tubby,

your first smile,

the first time you lifted your head,

Your first Fourth of July,

the first time you rolled over, 

your first trip apple and pumpkin picking,

your first Halloween,

your first Thanksgiving,

the first time you met Santa,

our first "trip" to CT,

your first Christmas and New Years,

the first time we left you with Grandma,

your first Valentine's Day, 

your first (and only!) pageant,

your first St. Patrick's Day,

getting your first tooth,

your first Easter,

your first trip to Fenway,

your first steps, 

and now,

your first birthday.

Everyone says "It's going to go by so fast" and they weren't lying.

I feel like every time I look at you, you've grown leaps and bounds.

You have the most amazing personality; your smile is infectious. 

You laugh from the depths of your belly and nothing in the world can touch me when you snuggle into my shoulder.

You have no fear, you love the pups and your family and one day, you will change the world.

While I hate knowing that every day makes you older, I can be assured that you will always be my baby, whether you like it or not.

Thank you for being such a joy in my life;

thank you for picking me to be your mom.

I am because you are.

I love you more than than words could ever say.

I love you a million red M&M's.

Love you to the moon and back.

Always.