Dear Georgia,

Today is your first birthday! I've been thinking about this day last year and how wonderful it was to meet you for the first time after praying and wishing for you so long. I remember the doctors saying they could barely deliver you because you were grabbing onto surgical tools and your cord and anything you could find to put up a fight! Your first few seconds were a great indication of your personality, dear.

I have cherished getting to know you this year. You've been the baby doll I've dressed up. We have loved showing you off to family and friends and strangers. Sometimes you're very serious and so determined, and I think you are stronger-willed than I am. In fact, right now you are in bed beside me with Daddy and will. not. give up and go to sleep already! You have been trying to catch up to your big brother since you first saw him. You were practicing standing on our laps by 3 weeks old, and you were so focused on kicking and rolling and whatever it took to get you mobile. You did it! You're a walking machine now, and you're so cute doing it!

I'd always wanted a daughter, and I've had so much fun with you already and look forward to all those special mother-daughter moments. It's humbling for me to think that you are going to learn to be a wife, mother, and woman by watching me. I'll do my best to set a good example for you.

Happy birthday, baby girl. I love you very much.