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Dear Lyla...

Today is your first birthday! I can't believe how fast the first year has passed by. The day we had you was such an exhaustingly rewarding day. We only had to push for 9 minutes - thank you! Your Daddy cut the umbilical cord and changed your first diaper. I remember looking at your little face for the first time. I didn't want to touch you at first when you were still covered in goo (you will learn that mommy does not like her hands to be wet or dirty)! But as the nurses wiped you off and we heard you cry I wanted nothing more than to snag you up and hold you. I don't have a clue what else was going on in the room at that moment. When your little eyes found mine it was the best moment of my life. I could not stop staring at you. Everyone talked about how you looked exactly like your Daddy. That first night was full of new adventures for me and your Daddy...you were a super trooper putting up with us! You were born on a Tuesday, and I had been in labor with you since the Friday before. Needless to say, we were glad you joined us when you did! We went home two days later...that was one of the roughest nights of both of our lives! You were starving, I was exhausted, and we were struggling to get you fed. We had to go back to the doctor two days later because you became a skinny little thing in the hospital and decided you wanted to stay that way. You also developed a small staph infection and had us all a little worried. And then we found the blood. That, sweet baby, was the beginning of the no dairy, no soy diet for us. It was tough, but worth it. When you were two weeks old we went on your first road trip to interview for a new job for Daddy. The weather was awful and I was pretty sure we'd have to take cover in a ditch! Okay, not really, but the sky was rather black! At 6 weeks and 6 days, you rolled over for the first time. I scared Dad because I was so excited I screamed for him. I was so proud of you! We moved when you were just a little over two months old. You did great with the move and even discovered your hands during that time. It was so fun to watch you try to figure them out. Between five and six months you visited the doctor...a lot. After all your visits to the doctors and a switch to prescription formula, you finally began to grow. When your little legs started becoming chunky...oh my, we were in heaven! You were happier and I rediscovered my love of chocolate! I remember the first time you clapped. We were standing in line, waiting to pick up your formula from the pharmacy. I looked down and you clapped and smiled! I know everyone thought I was crazy because I let out a huge "Yay Lyla!!!" without thinking about where we were! It was a great moment! You have done so well as we've tried to figure out your allergies and the best foods for you. As the months have gone on, it has been so much fun watching you learn and develop. Your cooing was precious, then it became fun babbling, and now you can say some words and imitate many others. And you have a lot to say! You learned to sit and crawl, and you've been taking a step here or there for a few weeks. Yesterday, the day before your birthday, you decided it was time to walk. Dad and I were so proud of you! I think we'd make you walk a marathon with us just to watch you! You have been such a sweet baby since the beginning. You are good natured and we have gotten so many comments about what a good baby you are. (I hope this doesn't mean the teen years will be the exact opposite!) You love other kids, you love to explore and play, and you are just a fun baby to be around. I know that you won't remember this age, but I hope that this blog will serve as a reminder of how much you are loved. This blog isn't just to share our adventures with our family and friends, but so that we can remember all the stages we've been through and so that you have a record to look back on. Parenthood has not been easy. There have been many days where I've cried and you've cried and I think we've both needed breaks. But the sweet moments - rocking you, reading to you, watching you play or sign or give hugs - those make it all worth it. I don't know what the future holds, but I am excited to keep watching you grow and develop. I am so proud to be your mommy, and your daddy feels the same way. Thank you for making the past year the best of our lives. We love you Lyla girl!

Mommy & Daddy

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