Don't Blink

Our Dearest Elloree,
Man, a year has come and gone too fast for us. It seems just like yesterday your Mum-Mum and I were at breakfast with Nana and Poppa when we heard the news of your birth.
So much went through our heads from the time we got the call to the next day we came to see you in the hospital. From the time the nurse rolled you into that room, you were ours (at least in our hearts). We knew there might be some obstacles we had to overcome but the reality of bringing you home with us grew more and more as the hours went by.
I remember your mother was a basket case on the Monday after you were born. We heard you were not going to be released from the hospital on Monday like they had planned. Your mother had only known you for a couple of hours and was distraught. She literally made a U-Turn to go to the hospital to see you. We had waited sooooo long for you to come into our lives and it seemed like we couldn't wait another day for you to come home.
You have brought so much joy to our lives since day one. The people you have touched at such a young age is absolutely amazing. Mum-Mum and Daa have the greatest friends and family. They all showed up in support of you becoming part of our family from day one!!! We are forever in debt to the kindness and support we have received.
Watching you grow this first year has been fabulous! How many other kids can say they did the Cooper River Bridge Run, climbed a mountain, went to Disney World, Myrtle Beach (a few times), drove to Cincinnati, went to Aunt Sherie's House, and many more in their first year?
From playing soccer down the hall to laying and laughing with you. I couldn't think of a better child to be experiencing life with. I love the way you crack yourself up like I do (sorry Mum-Mum). I love to watch you getting dressed in the morning with Mum-Mum (somebody has to teach her to be girly). The smile on your face when you are with us is priceless.
The times I cherish most are when the 3 of us get to spend time together alone. One particular time that comes to mind is the night at the Magic Kingdom when we were standing in line for the Tiki Room. You were in Mum-Mums arms and you reached out for me. You didn't want to get in my arms you just wanted to hug me. We all 3 stood in line and hugged while you rubbed our arms. It was like you were in the best place at that particular time because you were with us and we were all hugging. I know what you felt like because I was in heaven at that time too!
God has blessed us with you and we don't want to let him down. You are too special and too important to us. We love you with all of our hearts and can't wait to see what the next year brings us. As long as we are all happy, healthy, and together, we can take on anything.
I love you more than I will ever be able to express. But, that won't stop me from trying.
Love Always,
Daa