Dot's First Birthday - January 26, 2009
Dear Dorothy,
Happy first birthday to my incredible baby girl. It’s hard to believe that one year ago today I was working so hard to bring you into the world. I was so excited to get to meet you and to learn all about you. I’ve been getting to know you in this last year, and you are absolutely spectacular! Watching you grow and change has been the most amazing thing I have ever done. Your papa and I are so proud of every little thing you do. From your first smile to your first step, we have it all memorized (and some of it in pictures and video, too).
Everyone says that you don’t truly understand the love a mother feels for her baby until you become a mother yourself. I have to say that I agree. I love you with such intensity that I don’t believe I could ever explain it. Your sweet laugh opens my heart wide, and when you put your arms around my neck for a special hug, you and I are the only people in the world at that moment. At only one year old, you already have such a sweet spirit. It radiates from you so that people who don’t even know you feel obliged to stop us everywhere we go just to spend a moment with you.
When I think about my hopes and dreams for you, they all boil down to one thing: I dream of your happiness. I work every day to help you grow and learn in a place that is fun and safe for you. We have so much fun together, the Mama and her Pumpkin Pie. We play with toys and we dance to music, and I’m pretty sure that you think you invented peek-a-boo. We nurse and try new tasty foods, and I smile as I watch you rock your baby doll and pat her and give her kisses. It makes me feel good to think that you are loving your baby the way that you see your mama love you.
You are sleeping on my chest as I write this letter, and I can lean down and kiss your head and stroke your hair; and I am just so glad to have you in my world and in my arms. It has been a remarkable year, Itty Bitty. You have changed my reality and overflowed my heart with tenderness, affection, worry, strength, hope, and so much love. You have bolstered my self-confidence and given me the gift of your unconditional acceptance.
I love you with all that I am. Happy birthday.
Love,
Mama
