happy year of life, emmy faith.

on friday, our sweet emmy faith turned *one*.  birthdays are super nostalgic for me (surprise, surprise, eh?)  especially first birthdays.  i reflect all day long on what was happening a year ago that day... although labor/delivery has scared me each time i've done it, and it's pretty painful, i also honestly love it.  there is nothing in life quite like child birth, and i could easily just keep having more babies because i love those sweet moments--hard and painful as they are--so much.  i remember leaving the hospital after emmy was born and being so sad that the whole experience was over.

a year ago, i waited in a sunny hospital room overlooking the river, enjoying the company of my husband, mom and sister.  we talked and visited as the hours ticked by... i remember thinking i could tell i was excited because i was exceptionally chatty and smiley that afternoon (after i got over my initial nausea from being sick the night before).  as nervous as i was to give birth, i just was so overjoyed and ready to meet my sweet girl.  she was such a mystery to me; a face i didn't yet know, cheeks i hadn't yet kissed, a little personality i hadn't yet encountered.  when i had bella, i had no idea what i was in for.  i could never have imagined how amazing of an experience it was; holding her and seeing her for the first time.  this time around, i knew.  and yet, i still wondered: would it be just as sweet?

i will never forget how the hours passed, and all of a sudden i could tell: i was about to be a mama for the second time.  i told the nurse i was feeling the urge to push and the flurry began.  i was fully dilated; pushed three times and out came our sweet little girl.  everything happened so quickly it was like a flash before my eyes; and there she was... tiny, beautiful, perfect.  she was ours.  my much anticipated little sweetheart; the one whose movements and flutters calmed me when my world was crashing down... the one whose tiny little kicks as i sang with my dad by his hospital bed made me know she was there... the one who was my calm, my hope, my sunshine through the darkest storms of my life.  such a sweet moment holding her for the very first time.  so many tears... of joy, of gratefulness, of just what she meant to me.

happy first birthday, emmy faith!  i will never forget the day we first met.  this year has been so sweet; you have completed our family.  you bring such laughter into our home; daddy and i love you more than we could ever say!  we have loved watching your little personality blossom.  you are spunky yet sensitive, funny yet sweet, quirky and oh-so-beautiful.  i pray over your sweet little head every night; that you would grow to love jesus and chase after him with your whole heart; that he would guide every decision you make, every step you choose to walk.  i pray that he would use your sweet little heart to love others well, and your sense of humor and laughter to bring light everywhere you go!  this world can be so dark, little girl, but you can truly be the light and joy that gives others hope.  you can make a difference for good; and i know you will!  so blessed to be your parents, sweet girl.  we promise to love you no matter what, be faithful in praying for you, and dedicated to helping you grow into a godly, beautiful young lady.  we are so very excited to see what god has in store for you, emmy faith!

"in his heart a man plans his course, but the lord determines his steps." (proverbs 16:9)

"a cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." (proverbs 17:22)

love you sweet girl,
mama&daddy