One Whole Year!
It's so hard for me to believe that we have a one year old! And the fact that she's our last one, makes this kind of an emotional day for me. I'm so glad that today was just for the five of us. We had a regular family dinner (Corrine: "I'm thinking of an animal..."), and then we all sat on the floor with you while you opened your present. It was so much fun to see you try to open it, your curiosity while you peered over the edge of the wrapping paper, and the smile and squeal that escaped your mouth when you finally got to touch and play with it! When it was time for cake, you had no qualms about digging right in. You somehow knew it was your right of passage to be the first one to dip your fingers in the frosting, and one by one, lick them clean. Watching you today, I realized that you are too big to be tiny, but too little to be so big. Only another parent can understand what I mean by this. As much as I want you to grow and learn, please Laynee, stop for just a moment. Let me snuggle you, let me breathe you, let me just hold you once more while you are still an infant.
You have no idea how many tears we shed over this one picture. This was our gold. After having lost your brother Boone to anencephaly, this picture of your perfectly round and beautiful head, was a balm on our wounded hearts. You are our miracle. Our angel.
When we found out you would be joining our little family, I promised myself that I wouldn't complain once about heartburn, sore pelvic bones, numb legs, swollen fingers, 18 chins, or the 175 pounds I expected to gain throughout this pregnancy. But, oh, how hard it is to say and not do! Maybe the fact that you were my 4th pregnancy, or that I was older; but you kicked my butt. I will say this; I have never felt so beautiful as when I was expecting you. Thank you.
I'll never forget when they held you up for me to see. I COULD NOT BELIEVE that I had just had a baby. I had forced a watermelon through the eye of a needle in an hour and a half, from start to finish, travelled through the valley of the shadow of death and emerged from it, a mother. I honestly was in complete and utter shock. You were just living INSIDE OF ME! You seemed to be in as much shock as I was, because all you did was stare at me. You seemed to be saying, "OK. I can handle this." You didn't cry or scream as long as you were on my chest. The nurses had to take you away, only for a moment, which did the trick. When they gave you back to me, you promptly quit crying, and peed. It was love at first sight.
Laynee Loo, I don't think I've ever seen your daddy as proud of anyone (minus your siblings) as he is of you. He can't stop talking about you and his face lights up at the mere mention of your name. You have the ability to turn an otherwise strong and masculine adult to a puddle of mush simply by smiling in his general direction. This is a true talent and must be nurtured and encouraged.
Your personality was evident from the second I first felt you move. I pushed on my tummy one day, just to see if you were there. I felt the strongest kick that basically told me, "GET OUT OF MY SPACE!" It was the same all throughout my pregnancy with you. You would not perform on demand, and at the very end, you gave no indication as to when you would decide to venture out into this wide world. Both my midwife and I thought that you would last another week at the very least. We couldn't have been more wrong. At my appointment that day (Feb. 6), I was dilated to 2cm, and 50% effaced, but you were still high enough that she was confident you weren't coming anytime soon. I woke up at 3 am Feb. 7 and you were born at 4:35 am that same day. That's my girl. Unpredictable and decisive. 
You were able to hold your head up all by yourself at 2 weeks old. What newborn does this? You do. You are a genius.
We call you our angel baby because you are so perfect. You are always happy, and calm and content, and you smell like heaven. You also are sleeping through the night. (WOO HOO!)
Elayna, as you grow and change and learn, know this: Your mommy and daddy are honored that you chose us, that you had enough faith in us, to be your parents. Happy Birthday, Baby.
You have no idea how many tears we shed over this one picture. This was our gold. After having lost your brother Boone to anencephaly, this picture of your perfectly round and beautiful head, was a balm on our wounded hearts. You are our miracle. Our angel.
When we found out you would be joining our little family, I promised myself that I wouldn't complain once about heartburn, sore pelvic bones, numb legs, swollen fingers, 18 chins, or the 175 pounds I expected to gain throughout this pregnancy. But, oh, how hard it is to say and not do! Maybe the fact that you were my 4th pregnancy, or that I was older; but you kicked my butt. I will say this; I have never felt so beautiful as when I was expecting you. Thank you.
I'll never forget when they held you up for me to see. I COULD NOT BELIEVE that I had just had a baby. I had forced a watermelon through the eye of a needle in an hour and a half, from start to finish, travelled through the valley of the shadow of death and emerged from it, a mother. I honestly was in complete and utter shock. You were just living INSIDE OF ME! You seemed to be in as much shock as I was, because all you did was stare at me. You seemed to be saying, "OK. I can handle this." You didn't cry or scream as long as you were on my chest. The nurses had to take you away, only for a moment, which did the trick. When they gave you back to me, you promptly quit crying, and peed. It was love at first sight.
Laynee Loo, I don't think I've ever seen your daddy as proud of anyone (minus your siblings) as he is of you. He can't stop talking about you and his face lights up at the mere mention of your name. You have the ability to turn an otherwise strong and masculine adult to a puddle of mush simply by smiling in his general direction. This is a true talent and must be nurtured and encouraged.
Your personality was evident from the second I first felt you move. I pushed on my tummy one day, just to see if you were there. I felt the strongest kick that basically told me, "GET OUT OF MY SPACE!" It was the same all throughout my pregnancy with you. You would not perform on demand, and at the very end, you gave no indication as to when you would decide to venture out into this wide world. Both my midwife and I thought that you would last another week at the very least. We couldn't have been more wrong. At my appointment that day (Feb. 6), I was dilated to 2cm, and 50% effaced, but you were still high enough that she was confident you weren't coming anytime soon. I woke up at 3 am Feb. 7 and you were born at 4:35 am that same day. That's my girl. Unpredictable and decisive. 
You were able to hold your head up all by yourself at 2 weeks old. What newborn does this? You do. You are a genius.
We call you our angel baby because you are so perfect. You are always happy, and calm and content, and you smell like heaven. You also are sleeping through the night. (WOO HOO!)
Elayna, as you grow and change and learn, know this: Your mommy and daddy are honored that you chose us, that you had enough faith in us, to be your parents. Happy Birthday, Baby.Love, Mommy
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