Dear Evelina,
You are 12 months old, ONE YEAR OLD!! How did the first anniversary of your birth arrive so quickly? I have been thinking about this day for months and each time I would get misty-eyed as I re-lived your momentous birth in my memory. It is still so vivid yet often seems like it never actually happened. You are no longer a sleepy infant who lives for eating or being held. You have transformed into a beautiful toddler who lives for learning, exploring and bringing so much laughter into the lives of all who know you.
I never in a million years thought I could love someone as much as I love you. You have changed my life and you have changed me for the better. At the very moment of your birth, you provided me with the greatest gift of all, the gift of motherhood. All of the pain that accompanied each contraction during labor, the adrenaline rushing through my body to allow me to keep striving toward the ultimate goal, and the pure force required to push you into this world, all disappeared the moment I met you, my daughter, for the first time, and laid eyes on your beauty and perfection. I still gaze at you in amazement wondering how I got so lucky to be your Mama.
This past year has been an incredible learning experience, but has not been without mistakes. Despite the many challenges the first year of parenthood can present, I’ve always discovered what you needed, and how to get through each twist and turn. Although, at times, this year has been extremely exhausting and difficult, it has been the most rewarding 12 months of my life. And, with each day that passes my ultimate goal is to continue getting to know you, to teach you, and to learn how to be the best mother I can be just for you.
Sweet Evelina, you have come so far since your first screaming moment. You can smile, laugh, giggle, roll over, sit up, crawl, pull up and sit back down, sleep for 11-12 hours straight, feed yourself, explore with your tiny fingers and pick up the tiniest spec, babble and “talk”, wave, clap, high five, blow kisses, play peak-a-boo, show us where your head is, and so much more. You have accomplished so much in only 52 weeks of life.
Your Papa and I couldn’t be more proud of you. Just as we’ve enjoyed your first year and watching you grow each step of the way, we will continue to celebrate each moment of the upcoming year. We are looking forward to witnessing you succeed at the many milestones that are just waiting in the wings for you to accomplish, but most importantly, we are excited for you to just be you.
You are a blessing, a treasure, brighter than the sun and stars, and although you are still too little to make a wish for yourself on this, your first birthday, I will wish for you. I wish for a year full of happiness, love, fun and new discoveries, family, and friendship. You're Papa and I are lucky enough to be along for the ride with you. We can't wait!!
You are a blessing, a treasure, brighter than the sun and stars, and although you are still too little to make a wish for yourself on this, your first birthday, I will wish for you. I wish for a year full of happiness, love, fun and new discoveries, family, and friendship. You're Papa and I are lucky enough to be along for the ride with you. We can't wait!!
Happy Birthday Evelina Marie-Claire, Evelina Bambina, Bean, Beanette, Peanut, Sweet Pea, Sweet Buttons!! I love you more than words could ever say.
You are the sunshine of my life,
Mommy
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