Happy Birthday Gretchen Fawn

To my dearest baby girl on her very 1st birthday,

This year you made me a mother. No matter what else I'm given in this lifetime, know that this will always be the most special gift imaginable.

You've accomplished so much in the last 12 months: you were born at home; you cried your first little cry & then stayed so quiet on my chest; breastfeeding was hard, but we figured it out & we're still going strong; you smiled your first smile; you learned to say "dada" & "mama" & it was music to our ears; you rolled over, you sat up, you crawled, you scooted & now you can stand on two wobbly legs, so eager to run, not yet able to walk; you ate your first food; you got your first cat scratch; you fell off the bed; you bonked your head on the coffee table; you went to the zoo; you saw five parades; you had your first swing; you learned to do a little baby dance; you played with the dog; you went to emerg; you grew six teeth; you loved being worn; you slept with us; you wore some cloth diapers & some not-so-cloth diapers; you peed on your parents; you pooped on the floor; you had a bath in the tub just hours after being born; you know where my nose is & where your hair is; you had your first Christmas; you learned how to hug & kiss; you met new friends; you snuggled a lot; you taught us so much; you made your mother & your father fall in love in an instant.

We love you more than we can express, but we will try, every single day of your life.

You mean the world to us.

Happy birthday, baby girl.