Dear Avery

Dear Avery,

This time last year I was greatly anticipating your arrival. It was your due date of May 24th and you were comfy, cozy inside of me; not ready to enter this world. But my body had other plans and the doctors did not want to wait. Through a very difficult and exhausting 30 hours of labor you arrived; a perfect, healthy and beautiful baby girl. 8 pounds 7 ounces 21 inches long. It was the hardest and most exhausting thing I have ever done, with the most rewarding gift I have ever received. On the day you were born, May 25, 2016 at 3:01 pm, my life changed forever. I was exhausted, relieved, scared, happy and absolutely in love.

Though you have only been on this earth for one year, I feel like I have known you my whole life. You are a part of me and I will forever be a part of you. There a mornings when I wake up and see your smiling face and some how you have grown overnight. These are the moments that seem to be the hardest for me. The moments where I am reminded of how fast time is moving. How I look forward to each new mile stone, each new word, each new step; but oh how I wish for time to some how slow down. Especially those special moments when you grab my hand and hug it or give me a great big belly laugh.

You have the best personality. You are a beautiful little girl. You are so sweet. So silly. So very loving and sensitive. So much fun. And incredibly smart. Your belly laughs are contagious (You have the best laugh). Your fun-loving spirit is inspiring (and at times, exhausting - you never stop moving!). Your sweetness and love pours out of you (through your many hugs, kisses, snuggles and smiles). Your love for the things around you (your pets, your family, music, food and the outdoors) continue to grow every day and it has been so fun watching you become your own person.

As much as I am impressed by how loving and smart you already are, I am particularly astonished by your already fierce love for the outdoors. It feels as though you are so in tune with nature; as if it calls to you and you answer back (constantly, I might add). I watch you as the breeze runs through your hair and makes you smile. How you love to listen to the sounds; they seem to excite you and calm you at the same time. You search for birds and leaves blowing in the trees. You like to feel the grass between your toes (like your mama!). And you are never bothered by a little rain on your face. You were born to dance to the beat of your own drum. And girl, you are totally rocking it. You are my wild child; please forever stay that way. You will do great things.

I am looking forward to celebrating your first trip around the sun. It's been a good one. I can't believe it's been 365 days since you've entered my universe. You made me a mother; and I will forever be grateful to you for that. It's a role that I try my hardest to be the best at for you (many times I am just rolling with it and barely getting by with brushed teeth and a messy bun). Looking at you I know that daddy and I did something right because you are amazingly perfect. Thank you for being my daughter. I love you more than you'll ever know.

Happy 1st birthday my sweet, sweet Avery Lynn.

Love,
Mommy