Happy Birthday, sweet Saylor...

My Sweet Saylor,
One year. A year of precious firsts. A year of memories. A year of one heck of a proud momma to call you mine. Words cannot express this past year. A year ago today, you were put in my arms for the first time and I was quite sure my heart would explode right then and there. You were mine. I was your mommy.

You were beautiful that day and you are even more beautiful today. You have overtaken my heart and soul. I miss you when you go to bed at night. I can't wait to see your sweet smile first thing in the morning. I love spending every single day with you. I love your giggles and snuggles. I love your dimple (you are indeed, kissed by an angel)! My firstborn. My darling baby girl.

This year has been truly amazing. Watching you grow, change and learn so much. Before you came into this world, I dreamt of all the things I would teach you, all the things we would do together. I have enjoyed every second watching you discover this great big world. Watching you learn to smile, to laugh, to love. My prayer has always been for your happiness. For you to grow into a kind woman, knowing you have a family behind you that loves and supports you every step of the way. For you to know Jesus, and His grace. For you to be courageous. For you to take in everything this world has to offer you. 

I am one proud Mommy, and in this year, your first year, you have made me a better person. I never knew this love before you. And one day, I pray you will experience this love too. So deep. So raw. So real. A love that abandons itself for a little tiny baby nestled in my arms, sleeping sweetly, drawing quiet breaths. 

Happy Birthday to you, sweet girl. May you find joy and laughter at every turn. May you always be as happy as you have made us and your days filled with an abundance of love. 

Here's to you, sweet Saylor.

You are smart. You are beautiful. You are loved.

Happy Birthday!

My first Mother's Day

 Dearest Saylor, you made me a mommy. 

What a joy it is. You look at me and I know you know just who I am. When you smile at me, your eyes light up. I can't wait to hear 'mama' come out of your mouth. Those sweet little words, as you confirm, I am indeed your 'mama.' I can't wait to watch you grow. I can't wait to teach you. I can't wait to share in your joys. 

Becoming your mommy has been the greatest gift of my life. The day you were born, a mother was born. That was a day I will never forget. You were mine. I was your mommy. They placed you in my arms and I knew my heart would just explode. 

Having a daughter is like having a glimpse of heaven. A little girl, made in the image of God, given to a mother to provide for, to love, to cherish. What a blessing you are.

You are beautiful. You are loved. 

Thank you for making me a mommy. 

I will love you forever, my sweet girl.

Mama

With the impending arrival of my little girl, I have found myself so thankful to have a mother who has loved me through everything, who has been my biggest fan and my best friend. I pray that I will teach my girls all the joys of this life, just as my mother has taught me... I pray they find laughter, love, tears and experience the beauty of this great, big world. I pray they follow our sweet Lord, they trust and give their all in everything they do. My heart is so full as I reflect on the past 28 years with my own Mama and how I took her words and her heart with me every where I went... I pray I can be half the mother she has been to me. Thank you Mama.

Carrie Underwood - Mama's Song

Mama, you taught me to do the right things

So now you have to let your baby fly

You've given me everything that I will need

To make it through this crazy thing called life

And I know you watched me grow up

And only want what's best for me

And I think I found the answer to your prayers

And he is good, so good

He treats your little girl like a real man should

He is good, so good

He makes promises he keeps

No he's never gonna leave

So don't you worry about me

Don't you worry about me

Mama there's no way you'll ever lose me

Giving me away is not goodbye

As you watch me walk down to my future

I hope tears of joy are in your eyes

'Cause he is good, so good

And he treats your little girl like a real man should

He is good, so good

He makes promises he keeps

No he's never gonna leave

So don't you worry about me

Don't you worry about me

And when I watch my baby grow up

I'll only want what's best for her

And I hope she'll find the answer to my prayers

And that she'll say

He is good, so good

And he treats your little girl like a real man should

He is good, so good

He makes promises he keeps

No he's never gonna leave

So don't you worry about me

Don't you worry about me

Mama don't you worry about me

Don't you worry about me

To my sweet little girl...

Saylor,

I can't believe in less than 10 weeks I will finally get to meet you. Oh how I have dreamed of this day. What you will look like. What your first cry will sound like. How my heart will burst out of my chest the very second I meet you. How your daddy's eyes will light up the first time he holds you.

It is getting so close now. You are so active in my belly, I feel as though you are constantly reminding me how close we are. We are busy getting everything ready for your arrival around the house. We had a baby shower weekend before last with all my sweet girlfriends, and have 2 my showers in the next few weeks. You are one loved little girl, and I am blessed beyond measure to get to be your mommy. Your nursery is being filled with all things girly... bows, shoes, dresses. It is just wonderful. Your crib is being delivered on Tuesday and my dad, your g-bake, and my brother, your uncle Jake, are coming in 2 weekends to put up the waynes coating and paint your nursery. I am so excited and thankful they are coming to do this for you!

You are such a miracle. Me and your daddy love each other so much. We are the very best of friends, and upon your arrival, will share an even deeper love. A precious love for our new little girl. A precious love for each other. Thank you for that sweet gift. 

I had no idea I could love you so much already, but I do. I think about you all day. I rub my hand across my belly, just to say hello. I talk to you constantly. I can't wait to see your sweet face.

Please know, baby girl, that you are loved. You are special. You are a gift from our sweet Father.

"Then will I go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God."

-Psalm 43:4

I love you, 

Mommy

To my sweet little girl...

To my sweet little girl,

I can't believe we only have 100 days (or so) until we meet you! You are growing so much and so fast no. I see you squirming in my belly all the time and I love having you to keep me company. Daddy feels you kick and we both smile. We bought a little monitor I can hook up to my belly to hear your little heart beating and your kicks. I sit down in the middle of the day sometimes just to listen to you. 

We finally got moved into our new house... the house we will bring you home to. We are working on getting things unpacked and I can't wait to start putting your nursery together. We have hung a few things in your closet... a few little dresses and onesies we have gotten. My friend Kristen gave you a cute pair of fancy pants with your name on the bottom. So precious. We will start painting the nursery soon and I can't wait to get everything just perfect for you. I ordered your nursery furniture yesterday and I absolutely love it. I think it will be beautiful for a beautiful little girl!

I went to the doctor last week and they said you were doing great! Daddy and I are planning to do a 4-d ultrasound in the next few weeks so we can take a little peak at your sweet face. I am so excited and am looking forward to your arrival. In the meantime, I am soaking up the time I have you in my belly. I love you so much already.

Mommy

To my sweet little girl...

You are growing and growing and moving and moving. I can't believe how fast time is going by and how soon I will get to meet you. About 130 more days and you will be here! AMAZING. I love having you in my belly, seeing you grow, feeling you move. The other night I called your daddy and told him you must be dancing... I could see your little feet pushing on my belly. I giggled out loud as you moved around. You have still been giving me a time with this sickness, but it makes me so grateful to know you are healthy and growing. Keep it up, little one.

We've started adding things to the registry for you. Picking out strollers and car seats, little outfits, your nursery furniture. I fell in love with the most precious chandelier and I can't wait to put it up in your sweet little room. We are getting so excited to meet you and we talk about you all the time. 

Just the other day, Chloe told me that when you get older, she can't wait to ride bikes with you and play baby dolls with you. She picks outfits out for you all the time... we even got you a little Gamecock dress, since we will be living in Columbia. Chloe picked it out for you and was so proud to show Daddy. She is so excited to meet you!

We are going to the lake this weekend for the 4th of July and for Daddy's birthday. You are certainly a water baby, as you love to move around everytime I am swimming in the lake. We will have lots of people there this weekend and I'm sure lots of people will be rubbing my belly saying "hi" to you :)! We'll be heading to the beach on Sunday for a week's vacation... You'll be enjoying the sun and waves from my belly. I can't wait to take you with us next year... for you to feel the sand, see the ocean. Oh what a world it is.

We love you so much, sweet girl, and can't wait to meet you!

"A mother's joy begins when new life is stirring inside... when a tiny heartbeat is heard for the very first time, and a playful kick reminds her that she is never alone."



Mommy

To my sweet little girl...

To my sweet little girl...


We went to the beach this weekend for Father's Day Weekend. Your Shu Shu and G Bake were here as well as your Nana and Papa. This is our Father's Day tradition. Can't wait to have you with us next year! I also can't wait for you to meet your daddy. He is the best daddy in the world and we are all so lucky to have him! You gave him a card and a bib... of course I did it for you, but there was a special gift wrapped up just from you! Daddy loved it and your sister loved showing it off to everyone!


We played on the beach Friday and Saturday all day and yesterday evening, we went on a sunset cruise. This is one of your dad and I's favorite thing to do while at the beach. It's so peaceful and beautiful and I can't wait for you to get to see! We had an amazing experience while we were out on the boat. We were surrounded by atleast 40 dolphins for well over an hour. Your sister was a little scared at first thinking they would come on the boat, but we told her how wonderful and beautiful dolphins are and she started to like them. You were with us the whole ride,  hanging out in my belly... I wish you could have seen. In my 27 years,  I am not sure I have ever seen something so breathtaking. Families of dolphins with their babies, all around us, for quite some time. I pray that in your sweet life you will get to see this as well. I know you will see the most amazing things, sweet girl. 


Your daddy and I have gone back and forth on your name... but I think we have made a decision. You are going to be our sweet little Saylor. After the fabulous boat cruise last night and seeing the dolphins, I told your daddy you just had to be named Saylor. I have to tell you little bit, that was my pick for your name, haha, but your daddy is sweet and agreed. He thinks that name will fit you perfect too! I had Shu Shu make daddy a bib from you for Father's Day... It says "My Daddy Rocks." Precious. 


We are more than half way now little girl, and I just can't wait to meet you. You've sure been giving me a run for my money, but the past few days I have felt so much better. Thank you! ;) 


20 more weeks and you'll be here! Love you already. 


Mommy