…And Then You Were One

Just like that, in the blink of an eye a whole year has passed since our gorgeous baby girl entered the world.

I will never forget the first time I held you in my arms; you were screaming your little head off with lungs at full blast. We were lying on the table in theatre and I could feel the strange rummaging sensation of surgeons trying to put my insides back together but none of that mattered because in my arms was this tiny little new born who was perfect in every single way.

Our journey in the beginning was difficult, I was struggling with breast feeding and recovering from my surgery but we made it through those early weeks in a blur of feeding, sleeping, crying, nappy changing and cuddling.

I look back at new born photos and I can’t believe you were ever so tiny, my little 6lb 12oz girl who used to fit in her Daddy’s hands. I look at the little girl you are becoming and my heart is bursting with pride at all the things you have achieved in your first year; you have 6 teeth, love to crawl around at the speed of light through any door left open for a second, you’ve recently started to walk with a walker or when holding our hands and just last weekend you stood on your own without holding on. One of your favourite games is to play peek-a-boo and you’ve learnt to say boo, mama and dada along with loads of other random babblings. You love your food and are starting to practice some feeding skills with a spoon although we have a lot of practice to do to keep the food in your mouth rather than up the walls. You are in love with your little bunny comforter Millie and take her everywhere with you, sometimes I think you love her more than us but I know this isn’t true when you crawl over for a cuddle, grasping the collar of our clothes to hold on super tight and open your little mouth to give us a kiss.

I’m so proud of your temperament; you’re such a calm little thing and are always so happy to see people, especially your Nana and Grandad who always get the biggest smiles and the most laughs. You’re having a wonderful time at nursery; you’ve made plastic yogurt rattles, done some colouring, painting and played with sand, water and peas (yes peas), you’re always so happy to see your key worker in the mornings and you make me feel better about leaving you in a hurry when I have to dash for my train to work.

I can’t believe that our first year together as a family is over already, you have changed everything about us for the better. You make us want to be the best versions of ourselves and you bring out the joy in us, our house is full of laughter and squeals and clapping. There is never a dull moment with you in the room, I am in love your personality and can’t wait to watch you grow up and see the little person you will become.

Mummy and Daddy love you more than anything in the world my darling, we are so honoured to have been chosen to be your parents and you make us proud every single day.

Happy 1^st Birthday my little love.

Rachel xx