Dear Violet,

I feel like it was yesterday that you were born, yet I also feel like I've known you forever.  We celebrated your first birthday 2 weekends ago.  We had a beautiful party at Nana's house with all your friends and good food, and 2 pools set up outside for you to play in... I'd say it was a pretty perfect birthday... for both of us!

I'm so glad you were born on my birthday.  When I was pregnant with you, I thought about how your due date was the week after my birthday, and I was hoping you'd be born on a different day.  Yet the more I got to know you in my belly and the closer it came to meeting you, I thought about how wonderful it would be to celebrate our birthdays together.  Getting mani/pedi's together, then brunch, then shopping... oh, I can't wait!  I was hanging out in Conway with Nana and Papa the day before you were born, and  I had been having contractions fairly regularly, but pretty far apart.  Nana and I went on a brisk walk to try to start something, and then we went to Ruby Tuesday's for dinner (I had a salad bar, and ate a LOT of salad).  I remember my contractions were starting to get further and further apart at that point, so I thought it was just a tease.  Our dinner conversation was about you, and how cool it would be if you decided to come out on my birthday, the next day.  My mom wanted to come stay the night with us, just in case.  I didn't want to overreact, so I assured her that nothing was going to happen, but I'd keep her updated.

Your dad was at Uncle Dan's house, and I remember telling him on the way home from Conway that I was having regular contractions (but far apart), and he didn't seem too concerned.  I came home and cleaned the house pretty strenuously (yes, on purpose), and then walked up and down and up and down and up and down the driveway about 98 times, with the dogs in single file behind me.  It was pretty funny.  I was trying everything!  Pregnancy wasn't the best time of my life!  The contractions had gotten pretty far apart, so I was convinced you had just teased me, and went to bed, around midnight.  Your dad came home around then, and I told him that it was a close call, and we went to sleep.

I woke up around 2:30 to go to the bathroom, and went I sat down, something happened that was NOT what I was expecting... my water broke!  I was half asleep and not expecting that, so I was a little in shock.  I went back to bed and just sat there, staring at the wall, wondering what had just happened.  A few minutes later, I got back up, and realized again that yes, my water was DEFINITELY breaking.  I decided it was time to wake your dad up.  I shook his shoulder and said, "um, my water just broke," with a huge smile on my face.  He said groggily, "Are you serious?  At 2:30 in the morning??"  He was hoping you'd decide to start your journey a little closer to daytime!  I called the hospital and they said to wake up and shower or do what I need to do, just to try to be there within the hour (we live about 15 minutes from the hospital).  So I got in the shower first, still in shock and starting to get nervous and scared and excited, and then your dad got in the shower.  I posted a Facebook status about how we were on our way to the hospital, because it was the easiest way to spread the word!  We headed to the hospital, and called my mom on the way.  She got there really soon after that, she was so excited!

I don't remember every little tiny detail about the delivery, but I blogged about it on my last blog, so here is the story...

This past year has gone by so fast.  It's nothing short of MINDBLOWING how fast you've grown and learned so many things.  You're breathtakingly gorgeous, and get more beautiful everyday.  I love spending time with you.  I feel too lucky to have my photography job that lets me make my own schedule, and to have your dad that works SO HARD to make sure I can be there for you everyday.  I can't imagine having someone else spending the day with you.  Sometimes you drive me absolutely CRAZY when you get whiny and restless, but I still understand and empathize with you at the same time- it's hard to be so little and not be able to communicate what you want, and especially now with the temperatures being upwards of 110 degrees, we're getting a little stir-crazy inside all day, to say the least!

Words I'd use to describe you right now: smart, silly, happy, fearless, coy-but-not-shy, laid back, OUTDOOR LOVER, smiley, snuggly, patient, and beautiful.

Here are some photos from your birthday party.  You had such a great time with your friends, Lilly, Marley, Kepler, Addie and River.


Your Mimi bought you this perfect birthday outfit and headband.  It was so cute on you!

Here we are:

Playing in your new tunnel with Lilly:

Sharing your barbie doll with Fisher.

Starting out opening presents with daddy:

then got a little overwhelmed and needed your mommy...

You made this face the entire duration of your birthday song and the candle blow outs.  It was pretty hilarious.  You didn't know why everyone was singing to you all at the same time!  You eventually thought it was a good thing...

Yum!!

Here is my new favorite family picture of us.  I'm so lucky to have you two to spend my life with every day!

Then it was pool time...

You interrupted your dad and papa and uncle Ryan throwing the football around because you wanted to run around carrying it.  You LOVED that football!  So funny...

People say that there has to be bad to appreciate the good, but I don't believe that.  I'm not saying that nothing bad has ever happened to me, but relatively speaking, I've had it pretty easy my whole life, yet I can honestly say that I don't EVER take you for granted.  Every hug I get from you is soaked in and appreciated.  You're the best thing that's ever happened to your dad and me, and we feel so incredibly lucky and special to be the ones to have the honor to raise you.  I love you so much.  Happy first birthday, sweetheart.  Happy Birthday...

Love,
Mom