One Year

My baby is one year old .

And in just one year , she has brought me a lifetime of joy .

I think about the day that she arrived , two weeks past her due date , after 26 hours of labor .

With Blake by my side we welcomed this beautiful baby girl , in a slightly more dramatic fashion than we had originally planned , and we were nervous that it was a sign of things to come .

But Annie is one of those babies that you hear about . . .the ones that you doubt exist .

The baby that is flexible .The baby that doesn't fuss .

The baby that is always happy . That smiles all the time .

The baby that makes it way to easy on you your first time around and fools you into thinking that you really have this parenting thing down .

I think of all the big moments .

Her birth . Her blessing . Meeting her friends and family .

Her first Halloween and Christmas .

Her first trip to the ER .

The first time she crawled .

The first time she went swimming .

When she said " hi " to her Daddy .

The first time she said " Mama ".

And I think of all the smaller moments .

Snuggling with me in the mornings .

Listening to her laugh as her Daddy tosses her around on the bed .

Teaching her to give kisses , hugs , and to find her nose .

Watching her suck her thumb as she sleeps .

Laughing as she " tries on " her clothes , sticks out her little tounge , and bobs her not-so-little head .

Watching her pure joy while she rides a carousel .

Seeing her squeal with delight when she sees a doggie .

Reading books with her and letting her flip the pages .

Every moment that I spend with Annie and Blake are the best of my life .

They make me better .

And it's only the beginning .

Here are some photos from her big day :

( out on the boat ! )

( so excited for her party to start ! )

( look at all her gifts ! what a lucky girl ! )

( the whole spread . a big thank you to my parents for hosting at their lakehouse )

( her sweet cake came from Society Bakery in Dallas )

( Ooooo . . . I want that ! )

( are you sure I'm allowed to eat this ? )

( Oh yeah , that's what I'm talkin' about ! )

I love you , my baby girl .

- e