Bailey is ONE!

My sweet, sweet little Boopers, you are ONE!  It has been so much fun watching you grow up your first year.  

You are quite possibly the sweetest little thing I have met.  Your smile is contagious.  You have not met a stranger that hasn't said "oh my gosh, she's such a happy baby."  Yes, yes you are such a happy, happy, happy little girl.  It's a great pleasure being your mama.  There's not a whole lot that you don't like.  You love people.  You love to squint your little nose up and give newbies your sweet, contagious smile.  They normally smile back and then it becomes a little game you play.  You love your Daddy.  One of the highlights of every evening is watching you run to him the moment he steps foot in the door.  It melts his heart and mine too.  You love your big brother.  I mean love, love, love him and very much want to do everything he does.  I'm convinced you sometimes think you are already four.  Don't rush it my lil' Boopers, it'll be here before I know it.  You love to dance.  Or maybe you like the fact the we all join in on your little dance party. It makes you laugh. It makes us laugh. Oh how you love to be silly and make others laugh.

You are such an affectionate little being.  You love to give hugs.  Very freely.  And your most recent discovery is kisses.  This is my favorite.  Because you pucker your little lips and making the cutest kissing sound I've ever heard.  The best part is that you do this every night after Daddy or I lay you in bed.  And you continue that cute kissing sound until we are out the door.  So far, you are easy to put to bed.  Please, please can we keep it this way?!?!  You are also quite sensitive.  I've been told most girls are.  And you take great offense in being told "no".  Hmmm...I see trouble in the future!   

Little do you know but each day you are teaching me so much about this life.  You have taught me to soften my heart.  Be more compassionate.  A little more gentle and sympathetic.  This creates an excitedness inside of me ~ deep, deep in my heart ~ because YOU, my little girl, make ME want to be a better person.  But it also makes me a little nervous, because if I've learned all this from YOU in one year, what will you teach me in the years to come?!?!  I'm so thankful God blessed me with you.  As much as I said I'd be fine with another little boy, I'm even better with YOU!  It's such a pleasure, honor and blessing to be your mama.

I love you, Bailey Raye.  So, so much.

Mama

P.S.  You SMASHED your first cake.  No really, with your FOOT when you were all done tasting!  I love this about you...your carefree spirit!