365 wonderful days

Dear Kelsie,

(aka: BeeBops, Kelsinator, Boooks, Peps, Kelsers, Boo Bear & Kels)

One year ago today everything changed dramatically. You came into my life and I haven’t stopped smiling since. I still remember that day like it was yesterday. My actual due date wasn’t until January 3rd but two weeks prior to that my doctor said I was dilated to a 2 and that it could be any day. So we waited for what seemed like forever. Christmas came & went and still nothing. My mom and brother stuck around but I think they got sick of waiting too. I remember them talking the night of the 30th and they decided they were going to go back home that next morning.

You must have heard that.

The next morning I woke up feeling… well, different. I got out of bed and walked out of my room to see my mom’s suitcases packed. Little did she know… You were born just after 6PM that night and it was the most amazing thing I’ve ever experienced. I never knew I could feel that way. Instantly it was like all the blood in my body from head to toe turned into love. Pure, unconditional, insane, obsessed LOVE. Every day since then has been pure bliss. You amaze me constantly. I love watching you grow and learn. You pick up new things every day. Here are some things you’re doing now: You’ve mastered the art of crawling and are now in the climbing stage. Your favorite is the stairs. I refuse to buy a stair gate because daddy or I are always there and we want you to learn. I’ve showed you five million times to go back down the stairs feet first but for some reason you insist on going head first. Once I even let you fall down ONE stair just so you would know and stop. Instead you laughed. I swear you’re fearless. You cruise around furniture so easily. The past couple days you’ve even let go and balanced for a few seconds. WOW! You speak your own language all the time. You’ve already gotten out mama, dada & hi but lately its been goya-goya. Wish I knew what the heck that meant. You still don’t have any teeth but that doesn’t stop you from trying to eat everything! You’re still eating baby food but also love everything I’ve given you so far including: pasta, pizza, crackers, cereal, and quesadillas – all healthy, I know. You even open mouth attacked my chicken sandwich the other day. I about died laughing. Don’t even get me started on puffy cheetos because I think you would eat the whole bag if I let you. When you were super, super little you didn’t like your big cousin Kailee. You would cry if she even looked at you. Now its funny watching you attempt to copy everything she does. I’m sorry mommy & daddy have to work so much but I’m glad you have Kailee to play with during the day. She’s going to teach you all kinds of stuff. I’m sure of it. Lately you’ve been laughing whenever I sneeze. It then makes me ‘pretend sneeze’ fifty more times just to hear you giggle. I love your scumpy nose when you smile but my favorite time is at night when you get sleepy. You’re pretty attached to your bink and a soft blanky and I melt when you rest your head on my shoulder for a snuggle. Then as I rock you to sleep and you finally drift off I wish we could stay like that forever. You slept in mommy & daddy’s bed until you were about 7 months old. Then we tried you in your crib. Its now you’re favorite place. A lot of times I sneak in and watch you sleep. Sometimes you’re on your belly but most times your spread eagle. It cracks me up. Christmas was last week. Boy were you spoiled! I think you got one of every toy sold in stores. Its crazy the damage 2 parents, 4 grandparents, & 9 great-grandparents can do. And that’s still only a small dent compared to all the people who are crazy about you! I always knew I wanted to be a mommy but I never imagined it this good. I can’t believe its been a whole year and I can’t wait to spend many, many more with you. Happy Birthday Sweetie!
Love you,
Mommy