Survival of the Fittest: One Year Down!

My big baby girl,

This is probably the hardest entry I've had to write. I keep procrastinating and thinking maybe if I don't write about it you won't really be one! But alas, you are whether I write this entry or not, so here it goes...
One year ago, on a perfectly sunny Tuesday morning in August I was on my way to the hospital to deliver the most perfect baby girl that has ever existed. I had no idea then how much my life would change once you came (despite the friendly warnings from basically everyone I talked to). Nothing could have prepared me for how happy, loved, proud and crazy you would make me feel. How can anyone truly describe what happens to a heart when it sees their tiny precious baby, made from their own flesh and blood, smile for the first time? How do you explain the feeling you get when a being so tiny and fragile depends on you for it's entire existence? To know I am in this world to make and mold a child is one of the most fulfilling and terrifying emotions I have ever experienced. You have exceeded my expectations in every way and I only hope that some day I might have some of that same effect on you.

I dedicate my life, love, and this blog entry to my very first baby girl, Lily Ellis.

I love you for many reasons, but one of them is for our
shared love of Sophie. I didn't have to tell you to love her,
I didn't force you to crawl into her, I never asked for you
to plant big sloppy kisses on her equally sloppy nose; you just
do. You understand wholeheartedly, and without question
how special Sophie is to our family.

This picture immediately makes me think, "Iiiin West
Philidelphia born and raised..."

We had a little pre-birthday celebration with your Papa Chad
and Uncle Chiz. This is how we learned your fascination with
money that has Mom and Dad trying to save more and more
every day!

Peek-a-boo with Pop Pop

Camping
You had your first "camping" experience this year. We decided it was best if you didn't stay overnight, which proved to be wise as you barely made it through a nap. Otherwise, however, you enjoyed it very much. You loved sitting around the campfire, taking walks to the dock, and trying out all of your camping gear you got from your Great Grandma Sharon and Papa Fred. I was so thrilled to be able to share the great outdoors with my little girl and I greatly look forward to our future explorations.

smell. 

Happy Birthday to You!

The Party

What a trooper you were on party day! You ate my lasagna and even seemed to enjoy it, you appreciated each and every single present you got, and you even ate my cake that I labored over for many hours! Watching you enjoy this day with our family made this whole first year come together for me. It showed me through all of our doubts and concerns, we may not have done as bad as we thought when raising a child for the first time. The kindness and love you had for everyone there truly touched everyone's heart and I could not have been more proud of my little girl. 

Day of Birth

Sleeping angel.

Your bike from Mom and Dad.

I saw this idea on some parenting blog and had to steal it.
Making pancakes in the shape of their age for breakfast.
You are showing us that you are "sooo big" on your first bday!

We took a trip to the local pool with Grammy. 

I wanted to get a picture of you carrying Grammy's bag, and
when she turned you around to face the camera you had
a little bit of a breakdown and I couldn't resist the
opportunity to capture it on film.

Showing off your knowledge of animal sounds. 

Well, my dear, this is all for now. The final month-by-month blog for your first year. I am so proud already of everything you are and everything to come. I better keep it at that; we don't need any more sappiness in this post. I love you truly and dearly for all the days of my life!

Momma