Dear Lucy

Last year at this time, I was sitting in the green chair writing this to our as-yet unborn baby girl.  I was full of excitement, worry, and fear - fear about what the next few hours and days would bring.  Would she be healthy?  How long would we have to be in the hospital?  How would big brother adjust?  I wish I could have somehow flashed forward and read this post then.

Dear Lucy,

I can't believe you are already a year old.  When you were first born, you were less than five pounds and would have easily fit inside a shoe box. I was so worried about you, and now look at you!  You are a big, beautiful girl.

Your first year has been AMAZING.  You never cry (unless you are tired or hungry, in which case we simply put you down or give you food), you smile all the time, and you love to talk to yourself.  And you are the best. sleeper. ever.  You didn't even need sleep training.  When you were two months old, it was like you decided, "Hey, I want to sleep all through the night" and then you did it.  It was the best gift you could have ever given to your tired, irritable parents!  You have always been a good napper.  Right now, your favorite thing to do when you go down for a nap is to tuck your knees under neath you, stick your (large) rear in the air, pop your thumb in your mouth, and take all of three seconds to fall asleep.  If we let you, you will sleep until 10 AM, which is a 14-hour stretch!  You love to eat (a family trait, I think) and your current favorites are cheerios, blueberries, and beef!  You are also stinking adorable in no matter what clothes we choose for you.  (I do wish you'd do a better job of keeping the hair band on, though.)

You have the most beautiful blue eyes and such a precious little smile.  People tell me that you look like me, but I don't see it.  I think you are a completely unique mix of secret genetic ingredients that make you stand out.  I think that's what you will spend much of your life doing - standing out.  You did this in the hospital when you were first born, when they couldn't believe how well you were doing, how good your levels were, what a great eater you were, how hard you were working at getting stronger.  You have done it at home, figuring out the spoon and the straw and sign language with less (WAY less) help than your brother got.  And I know you will continue to do it as you grow.

I can't tell you what a blessing you have been to your momma.  I didn't even know how much I needed you before you were born, but now that I've spent an entire year being your mommy, I understand just how perfectly you complete our family.  As you grow and change, I look forward to seeing your gifts, talents, and uniquenesses make themselves known.  I look forward to seeing you and your brother grow together.  I look forward to helping you with your homework and watching you play.  I look forward to baking cookies, going shopping, and talking about boys.  I look forward to helping guide you through this crazy thing called life.

I love you so much and can't imagine loving you more.  You are my sweet, sweet, girl, and will be for as long as I live.

Love,
Your Mommy