Brooklyn's Letter.

My Brooklyn, Brookie Bear, Brooke-ster, Brookie Face, and Most Tender Face,

Have I told you how much I love you lately?
I’m sure it’s only been hours. But in case I haven’t,
I love you.

I remember the second I found out you were here. It was Christmas morning of 2009, and I had woken up early. I had an inkling that you were around, and I wanted to make sure…because if you were, it would be the best Christmas gift ever.

You were, and it was.

The moment you arrived in this world, 9:11 pm on August 13th…I knew our family was complete. You were instantly everything to me. My hear t swelled with love for you, and in that instant, you were forever bonded to me, and I to you. I knew your cries, your face, your touch, your smell. You were mine, and I loved you to the moon and back.
I knew that you were my last baby, so I tried very hard to soak up every moment of you. You were my last late night nursing session, my last newborn, my last first smile, first coo, first word, first reach-your-arms-out-to-me, my last first…everything. My last baby; my last tiny face. Brooklyn, if there is anything I can say about your first year, it would be that…

…I enjoyed Every. Single. Moment.

You are one of the happiest creatures God has ever created. You exude joy from every pore in your body, and your belly shakes with your laughter, and you are quick to clap with pleasure. You squeal and shriek with such delight that I sometimes struggle to see what is so darn funny! Your charm is infectious and you draw people in with your remarkable blue eyes. I light up your room, and you light up my heart. When you see me, you squeal with pleasure and do whatever it takes to make it to me. If you are playing in another room, I simply have to walk into your vision, crouch low with my arms extended out to you, and you stop what you’re doing and quickly make your way into my embrace.

The morning of your first birthday, your brother and I came upstairs to wake you. We opened the door quietly, thinking you were still asleep. You weren’t; you were sitting up, cuddling your pink elephant. Jackson and I crawled on our hands and knees and shouted “Happy Birthday!!!” to you, and you instantly laughed and clapped…as if you knew what a special day it was. My heart spilled over and my tears were hard to contain as I thought of all the wonderful joy you had brought into our lives.

I am so thankful for you, Brooklyn Elle. God has shared one of his most precious creations with me, and I am beyond blessed to be called your Mama. I pray for wisdom to guide you and teach you in this life, and I pray that you will someday know your Creator and delight in His promises. I pray that your father and I will be good examples, and that you will know and believe in our love for you.

Happy 1st Birthday, sweet girl!
Love,
Mama

P.S- I love you.