Happy Birthday, Hadley Kate!!!

So whenever you doubt just how special you are
And you wonder who loves you, how much and how far,
Listen for geese honking high in the sky.
(They’re singing a song to remember you by.)
Or notice the bears asleep at the zoo.
(It’s because they’ve been dancing all night for you!)
Or drift off to sleep to the sound of the wind.
(Listen closely…it’s whispering your name again!)
If the moon stays up until morning one day,
Or a ladybug lands and decides to stay,
Or a little bird sits at your window awhile,
It’s because they’re all hoping to see you smile…
For never before in story or rhyme
(not even once upon a time)
Has the world ever known a you, my friend,
And it never will, not ever again…
Heaven blew every trumpet
And played every horn
On the wonderful, marvelous
Night you were born.

-On the Night You Were Born, Nancy Tillman

Dear Hadley,

I can't even believe it has been a year since the doctor put you on my chest and you didn't cry, but just stared up at me for what seemed like forever. I had been imagining your face my entire life. I'd been picturing the little face that would one day make me a mommy, and never in my wildest dreams did I picture anything as wonderful and beautiful as you. 

Your dad and I say almost daily that we can't believe you're ours. We can't believe God entrusted us with such a precious gift.  

You are the easiest, most mellow baby (after the initial 3 months!!). You sleep twelve hours at night, put yourself to sleep for naps, and when you wake up in the morning, you just chat to yourself and your teddy bear until we come and get you. Despite you being a little bit of a diva with your bottles (they have to be borderline hot, and you have to have a toy to play with while you drink), you eat almost any table food we put in front of you!

Even though you are really easy going, you have a decidedly independent streak, and really set your mind to doing things your own way and in your own time. I can't wait to see what challenges fun this brings during your toddler years, but I have no doubt this independent streak will serve you well in life, and I hope you never lose that confidence and faith in yourself.

Always having to hold her back...

You may love adventure and getting your hands dirty, but you are also ALL GIRL!!! You still let me put bows of all sizes on you, and will let me put you in dresses that I have to tie up so you can crawl around in them!

You have the biggest, brightest smile that you flash to anyone and everyone!

But you also have an intuitive, pensive side to you as well. Sometimes I catch you just lost in thought, and I wish I could know what is going on behind those soulful, blue eyes of yours.

There is one thing that we know for certain and that is that you sure do look like your daddy...

But, I still look for similarities between us anyway...

So here's to you, my lover of books...

Dogs...

 

And the sea...

Here's to you our 1 year old!

Thank you for making us parents. Thank you for making us smile yesterday, today, and forever! We can't wait to watch you grow, explore, laugh, wonder, and love...next year, and every year! 

We love you so much Hadley Kate! Happy Birthday!!!

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

"Here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart
I carry your heart -I carry it in my heart."

 

-E.E. Cummings