My sweet Paisley,

You are ONE year old today! How did that even happen?! This last year has gone by at warp speed, but in a way it seems like you have always been here. It's a strange sensation looking back to when I didn't even know you. When you were just inside my tummy and I wondered what you would look like and who you would be. Now I struggle to remember what life was like before you came to our family. You belong here! You are part of us, and I couldn't imagine one minute without you in my life.

My Paisley girl, you are so special to me. I am so thankful to be your mommy. You are such a sweet and special little lady. I think you are wise beyond your year :) You are funny and bright, and you have a little streak of sass running through you! You have a definite opinion and you aren't afraid to share it! I love that about you. Some days are a little more tiring when you are being extra lively, but I sure do love that about you. I think your strength will come in handy when you get older and have to stand up for yourself. I'm glad you have a bit of spunk in you!

You are also a cuddly girl. I snuggled you so tight tonight before I laid you down in your crib, fast asleep. If I ask you for a snuggle, you will lay your head right down. I love it so much. You also lay on the middle of the floor sometimes with your cheek pressed to the ground, and it makes me giggle. You can never see a blanket or a pillow without snuggling right into it.

There are a few things that make you super happy...my cell phone, the remote, the house phone, being up on the couch or bed, eating (pretty much anything!) and drinking out of a sippy cup, and  of course the people that you love. You went through a stage where Mommy was the only one for you, but you have long outgrown that. You lunge out of my arms if Granny is nearby, and Daddy is slowly becoming your most favorite person. You adore your big brother, but you don't like when he hugs or snuggles you too tight, which is almost every time. There is a distinct squeal that says "you'd better get off of me!" that we can all distinguish these days :) He just loves you so, so much. He told me yesterday that you are his best friend. I know that's true. Seeing you both play together makes my heart melt. He gets so excited when you learn something new or say a new word. He is your biggest fan!

There are a few funny things that you don't like, too. You hate being thrown up into the air. It makes you   nervous. Sometimes you tolerate it, because adults seem to love to do that to babies, and sometimes you will have none of it. You gasp and get stiff. Super funny. I put up the swings in the backyard yesterday and you hate those, too. I somehow doubt you'll like roller coasters when you grow up :) You HATE when I take something from you that you shouldn't have. A little temper tantrum typically ensues, and I typically laugh. You also don't like when I have to fish something out of your mouth. It's like I'm stealing your well-earned property :)

You are such an easy-going little girl. You are great in the car and travel wonderfully. You are so flexible that we don't have to worry if your schedule gets off. You'll be fine and you adjust well to change. You are taking one nap per day, and I can't even remember the last time you were up in the night. I think you may actually be the best sleeper ever. Thank you, thank you, thank you for that.

You are a happy, happy girl, and you bring smiles to so many faces every day. It is a normal occurrence for someone to stop us in the store and say how beautiful and happy you are, what a good baby you are, and of course, those eyes. Everyone mentions your eyes. Your big, blue eyes and your curly eyelashes win everyone over. In fact, I don't think there has ever been a trip to the store when someone didn't mention how beautiful you are. Your cheeks are pretty popular, too. Your pediatrician said that even though your weight is only in the 15th percentile, your cheeks are in the 95th :) People love to squeeze them and I can't blame them. Pure deliciousness. You also have to rosiest, most luscious lips I have ever seen. I can't help but kiss them all day. I think you look similar to me when I was a baby, but then Granny brought a photo of herself when she was little and boy, do you look like her! I hope you get her genes. She is beautiful inside and out, and that's why we named you after her! You look like your Nana, too, and you looked just like your Aunt Tori when you were first born. All of my favorite people are wrapped up into one perfect little baby!

My girl, you make me so happy. I am so thankful to my Father in heaven for sending you to me. I hope we will be best friends for the rest of forever :) Happy, happy birthday to my favorite little girl in the whole world. You are so special and so, so, so, so, so loved.

Love,
Mommy