Happy First Birthday

Dear Samantha,

Today you turn one year old. In that year, you have blossomed into such an amazing little person. You are constantly busy learning and exploring the world around you. When you fall down you might cry a bit, but after a quick snuggle you are up and running again. You love being outside and looking at the rocks, trees, and animals. You invent new ways to play peekaboo, and then fall down because they make you laugh so hard. You love your sister-kitty, Mimi, more than almost anything else in the world. You shriek with delight when she comes in the room and try to pet her and give her kisses. You also shriek with delight when Daddy comes home from work. You immdeiately want to play with him and get annoyed that you have to hold still for some hugs and kisses. You are either wide awake or sound asleep. There is no in-between groggy period for you. You wake up immediately ready to face the day. You make the best faces! My favorites are your concentrating face and your scrunched-nose face. You are so close to saying your first word. For now, everything is either Ma, Ba, or Da. I'm excited for you to finally be able to start sharing your thoughts with us.

Daddy and I love you so much and want to wish you a very happy first birthday. We can't wait to see what your next year brings us!

Love,
Momma