HankandLucy

Oh, hi. I have a THIRTEEN MONTH old that I've been having WAY too much fun with to really sit down and take the time to write this post, but it's an important one that I don't want to miss.

Dear Lucia,

Today, you have been with us for 13 months and 10 days, yet life before you has become such a haze... a collection of memories that somehow seem incomplete without you in them. To say you have turned our world upside down and inside out in the most magical way imaginable would be such as gross understatement. You have brought a joy to our lives that we could have never thought possible, my girl. Your Papa and I have always felt happy and lucky to have each other. We've had the whole sundae, but you are the official cherry on top.

We've spent the last year (and 40 days) really getting to know the newest little member of our family, and I think it's safe to say that you continue to surprise us every day. In many ways, you are just like us. You have inherited your Papa's stubbornness, and my tendency to overreact. We're so sorry. In most ways, however, you are very much your own person. You love to laugh, and you do it often. You might be the most adventurous and curious person I've ever known, and you let nothing stand in your way. Don't ever lose that. Your comic timing is spot on. You have A LOT to say. Sure, none of it makes any sense just yet, but that doesn't stop you from saying it. Your smile is infectious, catching and trapping every stranger it meets. You are the antithesis of shy; you love meeting new people and want to make every single one of them your new best friend. You're big on affection, and you can't seem to get enough or give enough hugs and kisses in a day. I think it's impossible to put into words how much we admire you and how immensely you inspire us.

Please try and remember that your Papa and I are not perfect. We will work very hard and always try to do our best, but we will most likely make some mistakes in the parenting department along the way. Know that everything we do for you comes from the purest form of love and with the absolute best intentions. Even if it may not seem like it at times, our number one goal is to always do what we think is best for you. If you ever feel that we are wrong, we want you to be comfortable telling us. We may not always necessarily agree with you, but we hope you understand that you can talk to us about ANYTHING. Yes, we are your parents, but we are also your buddies and your top supporters. The three of us are in this together.

Thank you, my sweet girl, for the absolute best of year of our lives. Even the challenging times, and you better believe we've had some, have ended up being nothing short of rewarding. If these past 12 months (and 40 days) are any indication of what's yet to come, let's just say your Papa and I are THRILLED to have you joining us for the ride. We would tell you that we love you to the moon and back, but that would only be the tiniest fraction of the actual love we have for you. You are, and you have our hearts forever.

KIIISSSSSSEZZZZ,

The Luckiest Mama on The Planet