My sweet, sweet Hailey,
A year ago today we were preparing to go into the hospital. At 9 days overdue, they said it was time for you to make your appearance. Your dad and I were giddy with anticipation of finally meeting you.
After a rollercoaster of a day, you arrived on September 15th at 8:49pm. 7 pounds 1 ounce of perfection. We were speechless.
I remember being excited to meet you, but when I looked into your eyes it was though I had always known you. Of course this was you, my sweet Hailey.
You are a year old now, well, you will be tomorrow. In some ways the old cliché is true and this year has flown by. In other ways, though, I’ve made a conscious effort to savor these precious moments with you. I have memories of dancing with you around the Christmas tree and a soundtrack in my mind of your giggles, in which throw your head back and explode into when I chase and catch you.
Sometimes I stare at you while you sleep and wonder how your dad and I got so blessed. As you softly breath in and out, I let my mind wander about who you are and who you will be.
Your personality is already shining brightly. You are a sweet girl, loving, kind. It’s evident when you crawl over and lay your head on me, kiss me on the cheek, wide mouthed and drooling, and giggle. It’s evident when you wrap your arms around Koda, though she tries to escape. It’s evident when you are on dad’s shoulders and lean over to bite his nose and giggle. It’s so evident… and I love that about you.
You are so joyful. You have the ability to find joy in simple things, like falling leaves and wagon ride. You remind me to be grateful for life’s everyday blessings.
You are a truly happy girl. Rarely do you shed tears, which makes when you do extra heartbreaking for me. I never mind putting down whatever I am doing to hold you. I savor these times, knowing that all too soon you’ll be too big to carry.
You are tough. Bumps happen, but after you squench your face and rub your head, you return to the task more determined than before. I hope you always keep that drive and determination.
You have a mischievous side. Whether it’s making a break for the stairs when you think we aren’t looking or staring me right in the eye as you hold a dangling piece of food in front of Koda’s face from your highchair, you test your limits. Though I’m sure it will turn my hair gray down the line, I hope you keep your edge.
If there is only one thing you remember from your first year of life, I hope you remember feeling loved. Because you, baby girl, are SO loved. Your dad and I love you more than words can express. So does the entire family. They travel from afar to spend time with you, no longer under the guise that they are here to see your dad and me. I don’t mind.
You have singlehandedly turned our world upside down and filled it with more joy than I could ever imagine. Thank you. And happy birthday, my sweet Hailey Ann.
Love,
Mom
blackhuff says
Such a beautiful post dedicated to your little girl. She is blessed to have a mom and dad like the two of you.
P.S – I too wonder what my kids will become one day. How their lives will be like, what careers they will have, etc 🙂
Rachel Cooks says
Dang pregnancy hormones–definitely sitting here crying! Happy birthday to Hailey! You’ll love looking back at these types of posts.
Adria @ A Spoonful of Healthy says
Beautiful! You brought tears to my eyes because being a mom myself, this post reminded me of the precious moments which my daughter. Are you going to print this out for Hailey to read when she is older? I would actually go as far as framing it and hanging it in her room. Lovely!
Sara says
This brought tears to my eyes. So well written. As my little man turns 7 months next week, you have captured many of the same feelings I have for our son. Hailey is very lucky to have such a loving family!
Whitney says
Very beautifully written! Hailey is lucky to have such wonderful parents. In the end, all that really matters is that we are all loved. 🙂 Good luck tomorrow with the race and the party! Can’t wait to read about it!
Shari says
Oh, this is so beautiful and dear.
Happy Birthday to sweet Hailey!
Jenny says
Such a sweet post for such a sweet girl. I can’t wait to celebrate with you all tomorrow!
nicole @ making good choices says
so so beautiful. happy birthday (tomorrow) hailey!
Kaci says
Happy Birthday!!
Lee says
Happy Birthday Hailey!
Parita says
Happy birthday, Hailey!
This brought tears to my eyes!!!
Erica says
Annnnd I’m tearing up.
Happy Birthday sweet girl!
Coleen @ DNCWWO says
Happy Birthday, Hailey! Beautiful post!
Belinda says
Really sweet post and a real tear jerker for this early in the morning. 🙂 Hope your race is awesome in the morning and Hailey’s party is just as awesome. My best advice for you to prepare for the race tomorrow is to super hydrate today. Will make such a difference tomorrow. Then hopefully you will have that awesome runner’s high that will propel you through the party stress free. Enjoy!
Heather @ Side Of Sneakers says
Happy birthday sweet baby girl. What a blessing and a delight.
Kaitlyn @Keeping up with Kaitlyn says
Such a sweet letter! Hailey is one lucky little lady! I can’t believe she is almost 1! Happy Birthday Hailey!!!!
Emily S says
Happy Birthday Hailey 🙂
Muna says
Happy Birthday Hailey! I love the first picture. Such a pretty girl 🙂
Kristen @ Miami Housewife says
So very sweet! She will love reading this some day 🙂
natalie says
this is beautiful! it reminds me that every year, the day before my birthday, my mom will tell me how x years ago today, she was sitting on the couch and told you to hurry up 🙂 and the next day i listened!
Lauren B. says
This is so incredibly touching! What a great letter for her to read later on in life and to preserve such precious memories!
Papa John says
Whew! Tear filled eyes experience the beautiful sentiments that only a special loving parent could write! Hailey is blessed to have such wonderful parents. May someday she be so fortunate to read these heart felt words from her Mama. See you tomorrow for the celebration!
Jen says
So sweet. Happy birthday, Hailey!
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
This is so sweet. She’ll definitely cry when she reads this when she’s older.
Jen@HealthyFoodandFamily says
She is beautiful! What a sweet letter!!! Happy Birthday Hailey!
Hallie@ChasingHallie says
Happy Birthday Hailey! I can’t believe she is already a year old. I remember finding your blog when she was around 3 months old and Molly was fresh out. Beautiful post.
Tara says
I live this!! You are lucky to have such a sweet baby girl 🙂
Megan says
I am sitting at work with tears in my eyes. I have a six month old girl and I can’t wait to write a letter to her just like this on her first birthday! what a great thing to do for your daughter each year. Happy Birthday Hailey!
Lisa says
Beautiful words! Happy birthday to Hailey!!
Chrissy says
That was so sweet! Happy Birthday Hailey!
Jasmina says
Such a beautiful post. It’s been a joy watching Haily grow through out this year. Happy Birthday sweet girl.
Kimberly says
Such a sweet letter from a wonderful Mama.
Jane Preston says
Brittany, I have tears running down my face. Your writing is so beautiful and descriptive, and we all can feel the love you and David have for your precious Hailey. She is so blessed to have you two as loving parents and all those in her life who love her so dearly.
Your Mom and Dad just beam with pride, talking about her.
Happy Birthday to Hailey and may y’all have a wonderful birthday-filled weekend.
Hugs to you, sweet girl!
Maria says
How sweet and such a great tribute to your little girl! I admit, I got a little teary eyed and that baby fever I’ve been denying for the past six months…umm, I think it might be real. Maybe. 😉
Happy Birthday sweet Hailey! You are blessed with one gorgeous and wonderful Mommy (and Daddy)!
Meri says
Wow! So beautifully written to that sweet little girl! Happy Birthday Hailey!
Erin @ The Grass Skirt says
This is the sweetest post. Happy Birthday, Hailey! 🙂
Jennifer Bullock says
What a big girl!!! I can’t believe it’s been a year!! Congrats Hailey, and also mommy and daddy too!!
Jessie @ Graze With Me says
I see I’m not the only sap who cried reading this lovely post. I used to make fun of my mom for crying at anything slightly sentimental but now I get it. When you become a mother, every darn thing makes you tear up!!
Happy birthday to sweet Hailey!
Danica @ It's Progression says
Beautiful.
Happy Birthday, Hailey!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
LOVE. Happy birthday Hailey!
Brittany says
Congratulations to you and your husband for your first year of parenthood!
Kristen @ notsodomesticated says
So sweet! Happy Birthday, Hailey!!
Emily (The Culinary Couple) says
Happy birthday, sweet Hailey!
Sarah @ Our Little Belly Bean says
This is so beautiful! I hope she had a wonderful birthday!
Paige @ Your Trainer Paige says
What a sweet, sweet, post, Brittany. I don’t think Hailey will be having ANY qualms about being loved to the fullest! 😀
Samntha @ Health, Happiness & Skinny Jeans says
This is such a beautiful post!! It makes me look forward to one day getting to write a letter to my little one 🙂