I Can't Believe She's One!!!

Marion Campbell,

One year ago...how can I be saying that? How can it possibly have been a year? Already?...

One year ago today I started feeling a bit strange around my very large, pregnant tummy. It took me a few minutes, but after a quick call to Nana, I soon figured out that I was having contractions! Contractions?? I never felt a single one when your sister was born. They induced my labor and I got my epidural before I felt anything (the perfect way to have a 1st baby, by the way). Anyway, I started timing these contractions and realized I might better call Daddy and head to the hospital. I will spare you all of the details, but let's just say that it made for a LONG night! Because you were not yet to 37 weeks (we were short by a day), they couldn't do anything to help me along. My water WOULD NOT BREAK!!! So....after arriving at the hospital around 6:30 pm, we were not blessed with your presence until 9:24 am the next morning.

Girlie, you were worth the wait! All 6 pounds 10 ounces of you! You had a head full of black hair just like your sissy did when she was born. You seemed so tiny to us, and yet you were so alert and curious about everything. My heart was instantly expanded, and if I had ever worried "how can I love 2?" (which I don't remember worrying about), then that worry faded immediately! I laid in that bed looking into your sweet, fresh from God face and knew that you had made our family complete!

I'm having such a hard time trying to find the words to say to you. You only have one first birthday. Your Mommy should have something profound and meaningful to say to you. It should be heart-felt and inspiring. But the words aren't coming. As I'm sitting here staring at the computer screen, I realize that it's just perfect that I can't find the words because that's what you do to me. You make me speechless. I sit and look at you and know, more than ever, what God's love is. I see you crawling or playing and want to throw my arms in the air to praise our incredible Father for the miracle of life. I watch you sleeping at night and know what it feels like to love something so much that I truly would give up my own life to save another. There are NO words to express how much I love you. So again, you make me speechless.

Tomorrow morning we will go to the doctor for your 12 month check-up. While we are there, you will officially turn 1! I don't remember what life was like before you were here, but I cannot believe it's already been a year. Maybe that doesn't make any sense to anyone else, but it makes sense to me.

You are MUCH loved, my precious baby girl! Thank you for making my already terrific world an even better one. Happy Birthday!!!

I Love You, Mommy