Happy 1st Birthday, Baby Girl.

Emmy,

I know all moms says this, but I cannot believe you're already ONE!  What a year it's been!

All signs pointed to you being a tough little thing:  I was sick throughout the entire pregnancy, you came out within TWO hours of induction sans epidural, & you stayed up almost that whole first night with me.  But, when I got to look at your sweet little face for the first time (and confirm that you actually were a girl), I was filled with such joy just thinking about the life I'll spend with you.

I'm really hoping you like to get your toes done because I feel like we, as a team, could really get dad to pay for that; with your dimples and my eyes, we're an unstoppable duo.  I can't wait to do your hair, have spa nights, & tea parties; if you don't like those things, I'll probably force them at least once before I relinquish you to your own desires.  I've earned this, Emmy.

I intend on reminding you every day for the rest of your life that you were the toughest baby I've had, but you're sure making up for that time now; you are sweet, adventurous, head strong, & so stinkin' cute!  You can hang with the boys, but have made your mark as the princess of the house.  I SWORE I'd never call you a princess and I SWORE I'd never put you in big bows, but you've broken me.  You've made two little boys the happiest big brothers ever (I promise Ethan likes you, he just shows it in a different way) and you've turned your big, tough daddy into a big ball of mush.  You've taught me grace, patience, and multiplied my love as a mom times a billion.

Between you & me, those first 6 months were HARD and I never slept, rarely ate, drank way too much caffeine, studied at really crazy hours to get through nursing school, BUT you gave me so much  purpose.  Knowing that YOU needed ME was the most humbling experience of my life.

I'm SO honored to be your mom.