You might think that the hospital should lose their license to practice medicine, but it’s hard to argue with the results. You not only survived, but you’ve grown into an incredible little girl that we’re proud to call our daughter. Just look how far you’ve come in two short years…
A year ago, you weren’t even able to walk 10 steps without falling over. Now you’re running, jumping, climbing, and summersaulting. You’re still falling, but now it’s from higher up.
A year ago, your hair was just starting to curl, and now we have to fight the curls down.
A year ago, you were barely speaking and only had a few front teeth. Now you’re talkative and using sentences, counting to 10, naming animals, naming foods, and accurately discussing the merits of daddy’s Big Green Egg over traditional smokers. You also have a cute smile with a full set of chompers.
I don’t think it’s possible to arrive at your child’s birthday and not think back to the day she was born. Ashlyn had the easy part; all that was asked of her was to come out, cry, look around, and sleep. She did this in fine style, and I fondly remember those firsts. But I also remember the heroics of the new mother, and everything that she did to bring Ashlyn safely into this world.
And so today, I think, belongs to both of them. To the daughter, for the joy she’s brought us. And to the mother, for still being able to smile after Ashlyn was born despite the hours of labor and exhaustion.
Happy Birthday girls. I love you both more than this little blog can say.
