My dear Adelaide Anne,

As I am writing this, you are sleeping quietly in your crib in your sweet little nursery, safe and sound. Tonight (like every night), after reading our books with Daddy, we sang our favorite songs, Jesus Loves Me and There’s Something About that Name, and then in your crib you went. But before I laid you down, I gave you a million extra kisses because this was the last night you’d go to sleep as a baby whose age is marked in months. Tomorrow you will be one, and I simply cannot believe it.

Everyone always says how fast babies grow up, but I didn’t really grasp the truth of that until you came into this beautiful, crazy world. It seems like yesterday that Kyle and I were sitting with you in your nursery, incredibly sleep deprived, having a very lengthy debate of whether or not to swaddle you or if you should just be in a onesie to sleep in. (We quickly learned that you didn’t like to be swaddled – always breaking those arms free!) We had no clue what we were doing and we were terrified we were going to do something wrong. Oh the struggles we thought we’d never get through from nursing and projectile spitting up to you never sleeping through the night (you still wake up at least once – more snuggles for momma though – I’ll take it!), it’s amazing to see how far you’ve come and how far we have come as parents.

I thank God for you, Addie Anne. Our lives are filled with more joy, more laughter, and more love because of you. We prayed so fervently for you for a very long time. The waiting and not knowing if I’d ever get pregnant was so hard, but the wait was SO worth it, baby girl. Thank you for making me a mommy, and thank you for challenging me every day to be the best mom for you. I love you and can’t wait to celebrate YOU tomorrow.

Love,

Your Mama

XOXO