Happy birthday Emma Joy!

~~My sweet Emma...you will never know how much joy and happiness you have brought into our lives...you have completed this family...you have made me laugh every day since you've been born...I simply can not imagine my life without you. I don't have the words to express how happy you make me each and every day. We love you!~~

Today was an awesome day! Daddy took the day off and originally you were going to hang out in the morning at home with Daddy while I took Acadia to Clay's birthday party. Instead, we found out you had croup and since Acadia could be a carrier for croup, we opted to skip out on the party to not get the other kiddos sick.

I woke up with you and sang you happy birthday when I got you from your crib. Instantly, I was brought back to one year ago and that first day with you. So many memories flashed through my mind - your first smile, first laugh, the first time you sat on your own, the first time you walked. It doesn't seem possible that you're a year old!

Acadia and Daddy woke up not long after you did and we spent the morning having breakfast together and trying to decide what to do. Acadia remembered it was your birthday and we all sang happy birthday to you. We gave you your presents - a parachute and the Boon Frog Pod for the bathroom. Not very exciting toys, but very practical and we figured you wouldn't know the difference ;)

Daddy suggested taking a road trip, so we took the ferry over to Plattsburg for a little shopping, some lunch and a trip to the park. We had so much fun together! I just love it when the four of us are together :)

We got home and got ready to go to Battery Park for some Beansies dinner! You had peanut butter and jelly for the first time tonight, with cut up strawberries and gold fish. We came home and you had cake for the first time! Acadia had I had gone to the store to pick out a small cake for us - vanilla cake with chocolate frosting and sprinkles! We sang you happy birthday again and Acadia blew out the candle.

You loved the cake! You were smiling and laughing the whole time :) You are such a happy baby! Everyone loves being around you :) I had more comments on my Facebook page than I've ever had before, all wishing you a happy birthday. Throughout the day we had phone calls, texts and e-mails telling us to give you kisses for your birthday. Do you know how loved you are?

I nursed you and rocked you to sleep tonight and sang you happy birthday one more time. Then I whispered in your ear, like I do every night, "You are smart...you are beautiful...you can do anything you put your mind to...you will make a difference in this world." And you are...and you can....and you will...

Happy birthday, my girl...