Happy 1st Birthday, Evelyn Rae!


Friday, January 27, 2012

Mother. I can't believe I have had that glorious title for one whole year today. That six letter word has forever changed every fiber of my being. When I held Evelyn for the first time, a surge of love deeper than anything I can describe penetrated my veins and burst through my heart. Looking at this tiny soul, I understood completely for the first time the supreme gift and unbelievable power that is harnessed inside us women to bear children. It felt divine. I was never more sure that there was a God than at that moment. And God has continued to manifest himself through her as I watch her grow. Nothing could be this perfect and feel so innately right unless it was heaven sent.

Evelyn, your birth day will always be my greatest gift. You are the gift that keeps on giving. You have completely changed everything about me - the way I view the world, the way I understand life, my ability to love deeper and stronger without bounds, my excitement for learning, the magnitude of your father and I's relationship, the time I get up in the morning and how I manage my day, how excited I get when I see a dog because I am anticipating your joy when you see that furball - you have changed EVERYTHING about me. And I love you all the more for it.

One year ago today you came in to this world completely dependent on me for life. I could cradle all 7 lbs 8 oz of you in my arms and you would sleep peacefully. Now you are walking, eating kiwi and throwing green beans on the floor, splashing in the tub, sucking on my headphones, tearing apart my wallet, squealing for your giraffe, "reading" books, and addicted to water. While times have definitely gotten more challenging as you've grown older, it has equally become more fun and engaging. 

It's been one lovely year, my dear. My heart hurts on one side because you are no longer a baby, but the other half flutters in excitement to see you come into your own. 

Happy 1st Birthday, Evelyn Rae! 
Your daddy and I love you eternally.

You can watch Evelyn's birth day video here.

38 comments:

  1. Happy Bday to your sweet lil girl!

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  2. Ahhhh.. you make me cry!! I just posted on this, this morning!! :)

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  3. happy happy birthday! I hope sometime I get to meet the "big" you!

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  4. Happy Birthday! She truly is a gift from God, even in the pictures you can't help smiling when you see her smile! I wish her all the best for everyday to come!

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  5. So sweet! Happy Birthday Evelyn!!!

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  6. Happy Birthday Evelyn!! Motherhood is the greatest calling. It really does change you, for the better of course.

    Have a great weekend!

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  7. Aw so beautiful!! And how true and sincere a mother's love is for her children! Makes me smile!! Happy birthday to little Evelyn!

    With Love.
    Monica

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  8. I can't believe how much she still looks the same, but bigger. She's beautiful. Happy birthday little girl. Eat tons of cake for me.

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  9. I love this! Happy Birthday sweet girl!

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  10. aw, this is so precious, it melts my little heart. Happy birthday Evelyn!!!

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  11. Thanks for making me bawl as I eat my cereal before work. Geez! We love you Evy Rae!

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  12. Well said, well said. Happy Birthday to your little one! :)

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  13. Happy birthday to your sweet girl!! I loved reading this post, it was so beautifully written! Have a fun first birthday Evelyn!

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  14. Aren't birthdays so much more fun than being in labor? :)

    Happy birthday sweet kiddo!

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  15. Such a sweet post about being a mother. It makes me very excited! Happy birthday to your adorable little girl!!

    Bennett Love

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  16. happy first birthday, sweet little girl!!

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  17. this post is so beautiful. you are an amazing writer and summed up perfectly what i believe it will feel like to become a mother. ah, it makes me so excited!! happy birthday to your gorgeous girl!

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  18. Happy birthday Evelyn! (It's also my best friend's birthday so this is a fantastic day to be born!)

    And that video had me tearing up like crazy - so, so sweet!

    Have a wonderful weekend (I'm sure it will be spent celebrating!)

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  19. happy birthday to your beautiful girl! such a precious post :)

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  20. you are going to be SO incredibly thankful for these words 14 (and even 30) years down the line...I am so happy to have stumbled on your blog for such a momentous occasion. one thing's for sure: you made a beautiful baby! enjoy today! xoxo {av}

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  21. way to make me ball my eyes out and hug my little newborn extra close this morning!!!!!!

    happy birthday ev!

    also kendra, im ready to do a post swap when you are! ill email you in a bit!

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  22. Your baby girl is precious! As for the O'Reilly book, its really good. I have a tendency to read like 10 books at a time so I'm not finished with it yet but If you like history I recommend it.

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  23. aww, happy birthday to your baby! it is so crazy how fast they change :)

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  24. This is beautiful! & happy birthday to your precious girl Evelyn x

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  25. This is beautiful. and to be frank, really horrible birth control for me!

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  26. Happy birthday to Evelyn and happy "mothers" day to you too! :)

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  27. Awwwww this is so sweet! Happy birthday to your beautiful baby girl! :]

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  28. That is sooooooo sweet! It made my eyes water with tears! Happy b-day to your amazing bundle of joy!

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  29. Such sweet words, and so beautifully written! Happy 1st Birthday to Evelyn!!

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  30. such a beautiful post!! i love this. it helps me remember when my son was first born! :)

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  31. Tender. :) You're an awesome mom. And happy, happy birthday to your sweet girl!!

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  32. Happy Birthday, Evelyn Rae! xo

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  33. Wow, she is precious! And I love her name so much!!

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