To My Precious Annie,
Today we celebrate your first
birthday, what a sweet, sweet day it is!
You bring smiles and joy in the most awesome of ways. Your twinkle and vigor for life is unmatched. You are truly a one-of-a-kind…we love you SO
much! What a year your first has been…
You came into this world teaching
your Daddy and me to have lots of patience and to love and to nurture in the
toughest of times. You suffered from
colic for 4 months, there were a lot of trials trying to comfort you when you
were in a lot of pain and would scream for hours on end! It was heartbreaking and exhausting; we
learned that patience, love and nurturing were what you needed most in those
first few months.
When happier days were upon us, you
wanted to be on the move constantly, you never cease to amaze me by how
determined and tenacious you really are!
You are a go-getter, you are so driven, life with you is clear cut - you
either like something or you don’t.
We’ve grown to love that so much about you, although you know how to put
up quite a fight and are very bold in what you want… we see your strong
personality as a positive and we truly think you will become a force to be
reckoned with some day. I pray that you
use your strong willingness to bring good in this life and to others. I’m beyond excited to see that tenacity of
yours continue to grow!
You are so fearless; you definitely
don’t get that from your Mama! You try
and do things that make you seem so invincible.
It’s scary as your Mama to watch you be so adventurous at times. There is not much that frightens you, your
love and curiosity for life is without boundaries in your mind. Never forget
that my sweet Annie, you can do ANYTHING!
Continue to live without fear.
You have such a cute way of knowing
when you are being ornery. Most of the
time it entails you running off with something you know you shouldn’t and
squealing loudly as you pitter patter away, turning around as you run to flash
me a mischievous smile. You might just
be the cutest when you are the orneriest!
As your parents, we are your number
one fan. We run to your rescue whenever
tears start, when you aren’t feeling well, to cheer you on when you took your
first step, to share in the little celebrations, to laugh at all your
silliness, to comfort you in the middle of the night… there isn’t anything we
wouldn’t do to cherish every moment with you.
You bring joy to our lives, a fresh perspective to life; you are our
blessing, our sliver of heaven on earth.
As your Mama, I have so many hopes
and dreams for you! I pray over you and
pray that you will be a child after God’s own heart, that you continue to be
prosperous in good health, that your joy for life never fizzles, that your
Dadda and I will be the parents we need to be to lead you on the right path. I
want so much for you and can’t wait to see what the future holds!
You came into this life as a handful
and a handful you continue to be! You
keep us on our toes, I can’t imagine it any other way… we love you Annie. So, so incredibly much! Today is a day to celebrate your life. What a sweet day it certainly is. Happy Birthday My Sweets!
Love,
Mama
_____________________________________________
Annie,
I remember
the day you were born like it was yesterday. After hours of anticipation you
were finally born. The moment I became a father was a surreal moment for me.
Wanting to
be the best parents we could be your mother and I went to several classes,
watched videos, and read books. We always have and always will want the very
best for you. Nothing can truly prepare you for parenthood. All of the worrying
about whether you’re doing this or that right is only relieved with time.
As I write
this we are fast approaching your first birthday. It is amazing all of the
changes and advances you have made over such a short period of time. I am
amazed at how big you are, that you’ve been walking for a couple months
already, and how intelligent you are. Your birth has been one of the biggest changes
and greatest challenges of my life.
I love to
hold you tight and read you stories. I will pick you up when you fall. I will
be your cheerleader in the stands and will be there for hugs to make it all
better. I am far from perfect but will do the best I can to teach you and
protect you.
As you grow
older you’ll find out all too soon that the world is a rough and crazy place.
But I can already see that you are courageous and persistent. You will be fine.
You will fail but that is because you are trying and pushing to be the best
that you can be. When you fail now you pick yourself up immediately and try
again. I have no doubt that that is how you will approach life.
Be open to
new experiences and other cultures. Be the one who doesn’t care as much about
clothes as the person wearing them. Be kind, be compassionate and be humble.
Love others, as God calls us to love all first and foremost.
You (and
your Mother) are the absolute loves of my life and it’s impossible to fully
express the depth of feelings and hopes I have for you. I want so much for you.
There is the stuff that’s easy to say: I want you to be happy; I want you to
find love; I want you to be smart and ambitious; I want you to be
kind; I want you to visit your Mom and me often.
Lastly, you
can have whatever you want in life. When you’re younger it is easier to think
material possessions and money is important…but it’s not what’s most important.
As you get older things will get taken from you and people will pass. The
sooner you realize that life is about the people around you and experiences you
go through, the happier and more successful you will be.
Love,
Dad
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