Letter to your 1 year old

cookielady

If memory serves there were several people that wrote a letter to their DC.  Is anyone willing to share ideas of what you included in the letter.  I am having a hard time.

snansley

We want to do this too, but haven't done a great job writing down things this year.  I don't know if you are into blogs, but the woman who writes at dooce.com did monthly letters to her daughter that are in her blog archives.  She is an entertaining writer and I always thought her letters to Leta were sweet.

lololoco

Dear Kate,

One year ago today, my life changed forever. From the minute you were born I had no idea how in the world I could love something so much. Your daddy says that when they set you on my chest for the first time, all I kept saying over and over again was, "I love her so much, I love her so much."

I was in such shock that you were here, and you were ours. I was scared because I had no idea how to be a mother. I knew how to take care of a baby, but I didn't know how to be a mom. Luckily, that part was the easiest of all. You made it impossible not to love you!

Those first few weeks, you and I bonded as we figured each other out. We slept on the couch and in the glider in your room together. We woke up every 2-3 hours together too, so you could eat and I could try to feed you. We cried together... You because you were hungry or tired, and me out of sheer exhaustion and frustration.

Before I knew it, a month later, you were smiling. The month after that you were laughing. I remember your Daddy and I acting like fools to get you to laugh. It was our lives' mission at the time. To hear you laugh was the sweetest sound in the world!

Then you started sitting on you own. Ah, how I miss those days. To be able to sit you somewhere and know you couldn't get in to anything. Wow. Those days are long gone and were very short lived!

You started talking and saying "dada" ALL.THE.TIME. I know you love your Dada. I can see the special bond you have with him and it makes me smile. You should know that having you in our lives has made me love your father even more. He is the most amazing man, and I appreciate all the wonderful things he does for us. He prepares almost all your food these days which you seem to gobble down at astounding rates! You and Daddy spend an extra amount of time together right now because Mommy works two jobs. One of those jobs, the photography, is a passion which you inspired!

What is so interesting about that fact, is when we found out that I was pregnant with you, we were talking with your Grandma and she told us how in Cuba, there's a saying that translates to English - "Every child comes with a loaf of bread under their arm." I had told your grandma how expensive daycare and diapers are, and how we were going to have to cut back in some places. Well, she told me that saying, and it didn't mean much then, but I truly believe photography was the loaf of bread that God sent with you for our family.

You quickly went from crawling to walking and from walking to practically running. You surprise me everyday with new things. I look at you all the time and am amazed by how beautiful you are!

This first year has gone by so fast, Kate. I wish we could just freeze time and keep you right where you are. I know that is impossible, but I still try. Two nights this week you have gone to bed early and Daddy and I have snuck into your room to change your diaper and clothes, and instead of putting you back in your crib, I held you and rocked you for a long time. I held you close and kissed your forehead and remembered all those nights when I had to hold you on my chest so we'd both get some sleep. I remembered how you were so tiny you barely fit in the crook of my arm. Now, when I hold you, your head is underneath my chin and your feet far down in my lap.

It has been an emotional week for me for some reason. Now that I'm a mother I will forever look at birthdays differently. Not just your birthday - but everyone's birthday. Sure, that child or person is a year older, but the date also signifies the date that someone became a mother, father, sister, or brother. My life is better with you in it, and October 3rd will always mark the day you entered this world, and I became a mother.

Before I end this letter, I have to thank you. You have always been a daddy's girl and preferred him to me. But something about the last 2 weeks have made you want me more. Now if you'd just start saying "Mama" instead of "Dada" all the time it would make up for those awful labor pains I was reminded of while writing your birth story.


Here is a slideshow of pictures from your first year! I am starting a little family tradition here for your first birthday. Each year, I will create a slideshow for you and write you a letter. On your birthday, when you are old enough to understand, we will watch the slideshow as a family, then read you your letter instead of a book before bed. If you have a brother or sister one day, we will do the same for him or her. It will be fun, and commemorate the past year and help us celebrate your special day. Hopefully these little traditions and keepsakes will be something you can keep and cherish forever.

Daddy and I love you more than you will ever know... Well, at least until you have your own child, then you'll have an idea what this love feels like. It makes me appreciate the love your grandparents must have for me and daddy, too!

Happy 1st Birthday my sweet, sweet baby girl. I look forward for all the exciting changes the next year has in store for you!