1 Year Old!

Our Sweet Kayleigh Grace,

I realized as I wrote that that most of the letters I've written to you since we knew that you were a girl have been written to "Sweet Kayleigh."  It's not for lack of more creative pet names, it's true.  Daddy and I are so thankful for our sweet girl.  In the year since you were born, Daddy and I have constantly marveled at God's decision to give us such a beautiful heart to look after.  We are so thankful for you.  Your name is so fitting--Kayleigh Grace: A beautiful, undeserved gift from God.

It's been a year since they first handed you to me.  A year since the first time Daddy and I looked into your eyes and fell in love.  One year, Sweet Girl.  And you've gone from this tiny little pink bundle...

to the beautiful little girl you are today.

Oh, Kayleigh, what a joy you are to us!  You are always making us laugh with your silly dances, your desire to do things by yourself, your love for silliness...you are so much fun, Baby Girl.

You try so hard to be a Big Girl like your little friend Emily, and you love to pet and kiss your new baby friend, Sabine.  My heart overflows when I see you with the two of them, because you are happy just to be with them.  I pray that God continues to grow your heart into one that desires friendship and builds beautiful relationships with the people in your life.

I have cried nearly every day this week (ok, every day) when I realize that the first year of your life is already finished.  It went by so incredibly fast, and I don't feel ready yet to let go of your baby year.  I know that we have so many things to look forward to in the years to come, but it breaks my heart to realize how quickly you are growing up...how soon you won't be my baby at all.  I'm clinging to these days of baby giggles and chunky thighs and wispy curls and pink cheeks and drooly kisses.  These are such wonderful, happy days, Sweet Girl.

Daddy and I pray that you will always find this much joy in life.  That you'll meet the world with a smile and seek the beauty in it.  We're confident that you will continue to add beauty to the world--not only like you do right now, simply for us, but also for others.  We know that He who has begun a good work in you will bring it to completion (Philippians 1:6).  We pray that you will always show others the joy of Christ.

We love our Kayleigh Grace!  Happy Birthday, Sweet Girl!

Love, Mom (and Dad)

6 Months Old

Our Sweet Kayleigh Grace,

I looked at the clock today at 1:22, and ran over to where you were playing happily on the carpet to swoop you up and cover you with kisses.

Six months ago, right at that minute, you came into this world and made our hearts overflow with love.

As much as I loved you that moment, with your blotchy pink-blue skin and sticky hair, how could I have imagined how much that love would change--deepen--in the next six months?

The first time I saw you, I loved you because you were mine.

I loved that you were a physical representation of the love between your daddy and me.

I loved you for the potential of what we could have together.

I loved you because for nine months, I had countered every wave of nausea and every pain with the reminder that a baby would come from all of this.

And here you are.

Now, when I look at you, I love you because you are you.

I love every giggle, every squeal, and every belly laugh.

I love every crease and roll you have.

I love your curiosity, your excitement to try things out yourself.

I love that expression which tells me that you're so gosh-darn proud of yourself.

I love the way you smile at passersby, that you're just as social and friendly as your daddy. 

This month, you have changed the most out of any month.

It wasn't even a month ago that you rolled over for the very first time,

and now you're on a blanket next to me, singing to yourself as you rock back and forth on all fours.

Crawling is just days away, Sweet Girl.

And you're so excited about it!

It seems like overnight, you went from toppling over when anyone tried to sit you on your bottom, to being able to sit as long as we let you.  And now, you wave your hands and kick your feet if we leave you sitting somewhere and move away.  Like you're offended that you can't follow us on your own yet.

It's not far away...

You have been exclusively breastfed up to this point, but in the last week, we've let you sample (more like suck on) a carrot, broccoli stem, banana, and apple.  You've also tried rice cereal twice now, and we were amazed with how you knew just how to open your mouth for the spoon and slurp it right up!  Now you feel entitled to eat whatever we're eating, and we just have to smile and shake our heads.  No cheeseburgers for you, yet!

You started reaching for people this month, and you have completely melted some hearts!  I'm glad that you're so happy to visit with other people now (too much interaction with people other than Mom and Dad used to leave you overwhelmed and frazzled).  All of the sweet grandma ladies at church have adopted you, and you're completely happy being passed from loving arm to loving arm.

What a fun age this is, Baby Girl.  We are loving every minute of watching you grow, grow, grow.  You're not just a helpless infant anymore.  You have a will of your own.  It's so much fun to see you sitting up and playing with toys, laughing at Daddy and the funny games he plays with you, and hearing your squeals of joy.  And yet, I'm just as happy and thankful that one of your favorite things to do is still cuddle up in our arms.

Daddy and I look at each other all the time and ask, "How did we receive such a wonderful, happy baby?"

We didn't do anything to deserve you, Kayleigh Grace, but our God is good, and He has blessed us far beyond what we could have imagined.

Stay as sweet as you are!

We love you!

Love, Mom

Beautiful Dreamer

My Sweet Kayleigh,

Usually, I try to use your naptimes to get work done.  I always have papers to grade, dishes to wash, and oh-my-how-can-3-people-create-so-much-laundry.  But right now, it's hard to think of doing anything but sitting here, watching you.
You woke up this morning after I finished my online class, so I brought you downstairs and put you on the couch next to me as I graded.  You just wanted to be near me, and as soon as I plunked you down on the couch, you put your little hand on my arm and fell right asleep.  I love that you do that.  It makes it hard to concentrate on anything else.
Sometimes, I look into your eyes and wonder just how much you know.  Do you know that the way you take our hands and hug them to your body makes Mommy and Daddy's hearts melt?  Do you know that you make us laugh harder than we've laughed before?  All it takes is a funny sneeze face or a perfectly-timed raspberry (Pastor: "'Forgive us our trespasses,' What does this mean?"  Kayleigh: "Pbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbth!"  Yes.  In the middle of church.  Oh, you!)
I love your deep, contented sighs as you sleep, and the way smiles flicker across your face like the sun peeking through clouds on a windy day.  You have our hearts, baby girl.
We love our sweet little ray of sunshine!

Love, Mom

Big Girl Bath

Hey, Kayleigh Grace!  What do you think of that big girl bath?

No more little pink infant tub for you...

Now you get to sit in the sink.

(ooooh!)

Yeah, it's a pretty great life, isn't it?

You go right on ahead and live it up.

We love you, sweet girl!