Maria is ONE

Dear Maria,

I don't know if I have ever been as scared as I was in the days before you were born. We were all so worried about them getting you safely into the world. From the moment that they decided it was time to bring you out, you defied every expectation and rose to every challenge.

We were so happy when we got to see pictures of your tiny little self.

We couldn't believe how small you were, and we wanted so badly to come see you for ourselves. We were so grateful for every picture and every report of how well you were doing, and we were so excited the day that you finally met your brother...

... and the day that they got to bring you home.

It was a special day for us, because we finally got to see you live in video chat.

Finally when you were 2 months old (just a little after your due date), we got to meet you and hold you and kiss you and squeeze you. We absolutely fixated on your tiny little hands and toes, and we held you as much and as often as we could.

Saying good-bye and knowing that you would be such a different baby when we met again was so hard. You came to visit us when you were 6 months old. So different from the tiny little lump that we had to leave behind, you were busy reaching and swatting and grabbing and playing.

And before we knew it, you were gone again. We saw you again only 3 months later, and you'd transformed again. So aware and determined. So mobile! Not quite crawling very much, but so close. Sitting on your own, but not for very long. Laughing all the time!

And now you're a whole year old! It is so very sad for us that we can't see you all the time and watch all the tiny little changes, but we're so grateful for the time that we've had with you, and so excited to continue to be there as you grow up. We love you so much.

Happy Birthday, Maria!

Love,

"Aunt" Danielle

P.S. Sorry Sylvia is in so many of these pictures. I just love pictures of you 2 together!