On the eve of your first birthday

My sweet Baby Reese,

On the eve of your first birthday I'm writing this and wondering (and trying to maintain my tears) if I can even refer to you as baby reese as I have for the first 12 months of your amazing life. I've decided that I have to choose: I either seize this baby talk by midnight tonight or I continue it until you are 30.  I've determined the latter would be better for me emotionally and isn't that what this is all about anyway? Containing my emotions as a mother.  I want to celebrate your life. Reflect on the past 12  months and vision what you have in store for me, for us as parents and for this world you will someday conquer with hopes and dreams and nothing to stop you. (Daddy has already determined you can not date until you are 30, so we are confident there will be no guy stopping you from following your dreams) To lay out the past year of my life as your mommy is something that I fear I could never capture in a blog.  I thought meeting your Daddy was the best thing that happened to me (and it was) but now you, babygirl, you have filled my heart beyond belief.  Beyond anything I could have imagined.  There are so many things that I already admire and adore about you.  I love your sunny smile that brightens perfect strangers faces whereever we go.  And that laugh, oh the laugh you have, you can hardly contain yourself when I dance for you.  I love that you are so outgoing, personable.  You will fall into whomever's arms that will catch you.  I even love your stubbornness.  The independence, too. Headstrong with an heart full of love.  That's you, Reese.  You are my inspiration.  My proof that Jesus is so good.  You are more than I ever imagined.  Through Christ, I hope to help mold you and guide you into your own being.  No matter what, I will always be proud.  Be humbled by your presence.  You make us whole. You are our angel sent from above.  Truly, this is what life is all about.  Nothing is sweeter than our Reesie cup.

Love, mommy