Happy First Birthday Mayla!

Dear Mayla,

Happy Birthday sweet girl. It's hard to believe that you are already 1 year old. You amaze me everyday.

I love how much you are learning. You love eating rocks and can stick an entire handful in your mouth at once. But you know what "spit it out" means and all I have to do is say it in a really low tone of voice and you empty the contents of your cheeks. But it only takes about 5 seconds before they are full again...

You know how to sit down, lay down, turn around, and come. You know how to climb the stairs and how to go down them. You can say mom, dad, do (dog) and uh oh. I think that you have also said Emma and bye bye. I love it when I ask you to give me a kiss and you come at me with that big open mouth...

You have the most beautiful smile, and it captures and melts my heart every moment. My love for you is unending.

Your brothers and sister can't get enough of you. They began fighting over you the day you were born and it hasn't stopped yet. I thought by the time you were big enough to run around the house they would give you some space but I was wrong! You have had to start fighting for your space. My little fighter has learned to run away, scream and even bite occasionally...but who can blame you?? You also really love your siblings. Austin is like a little daddy and carries you around the house. Emma is like a little mommy and takes great care of you and Kadin loves to play with you and make you smile. You are loved very much.

And then there is your Daddy. You have him wrapped around your little finger. When he gets home from work you run to him, flash your smile and stare into his eyes when he picks you up.  You cling to him, and he loves it.  Some of his favorite moments with you are the nights that he gets to put you to bed.  He cuddles you until you are asleep and then continues to hold you tight.   

Happy birthday sweet girl!