To Anyah on her 1st Birthday

My Darling Ani-Bee,

A year...wow... really? This year has gone by so fast. Just a moment ago you were a snuggly little baby who barely fit in her newborn onsies and now all the sudden your walking around the kitchen, a full teethy grin on your face, talking to your sister and trying to steal my cookie cutters from the drawer. So fast, it moves so fast...time just kept on going and we went right along with it.

You are all new and improved this week. You got a walking/riding toy from Godfather George for your birthday and since that time you've been an unstoppable walker. You've always been timid about letting go and just walking. You'll do it but it takes some prompting. Suddenly, you've got a little car to hold on to and the world, it is at your disposal. Not that you need it, because girl you drag it behind you instead of using it to hold yourself up...but it does make you feel better.

You know what else makes you feel better? Food. Oh lordy, you are such a little foodie just like your mother. You'll steal a bite of just about anything off of just about anyone's plate. You flirt until they hand it over and then you tell us "good" and "nom nom nom" over and over insuring that you might get some more.

You still don't like strangers, or loud noises. You're not fond of apricots, corn or hot dogs. You dislike wind coming through open car windows and when you can't figure out how a toy works.

You are twice as independent as your sister was at this age. You are continent to crawl alone to your room to play by yourself with your toys or spend 30 minutes figuring out which cups fit inside each other in your nesting toy. If no one bothers you then you will play with the same toy for much longer than most babies. Today you played with your tea party set for almost 30 minutes, opening and closing the lid so it would sing and dancing then putting treats in and out of it and laughing.

Your my quiet one. You are a little tiny watcher. You remember everything. You take it all in. You're curious but cautious. You're sweet and flirtacious with an explosive temper which takes forever to tip off (much like your daddy).

You love to crawl to daddy as soon as he gets home and make him carry you around. You love giving mommy kisses and making Nannie play with you. You are turning into to quite the little stinker when you put your mind to it.

Layla and you push each others buttons but even now you're the first one there to comfort her when she blows up like a little drama queen and she is the first one to cheer you on when you finally get brave enough to take a step. You compliment each other so well, helping each other with the things that require a little back up to get through. You're already starting to show how well you can love each other and it swells my heart.

Never before has there been a baby more calm and determined. These two gifts, I am sure, will prove to be your blessings from God. Some day that calm reserve and determined resolve are going to great things. (Or perhaps he knew about your sisters temper and just wanted to give you the tools you'd need to deal) Either way, it's gonna be a great blessing.

And you, you are our great blessing. Happy first birthday love.

Mommy and daddy are so proud of you so far and can't wait to see what the next year brings. We all love you so much.