One Year Old!!!

Ava Lynn's 1st Birthday!!!

Ok, I'll try not to cry while I type this, but, I guess you wouldn't know whether or not I was crying anyways, so................ I'll probably cry after all.

My little Bean is 1 year old!

Where did the year go???  It seems like I just had you and brought you home.  You have brought so much joy into our family.  I don't know if a baby has ever been adored the way we adore you.  It took a while to get you here.  We prayed as a family for several years that you would one day join us.  Heavenly Father had a special plan for you and we were so ecstatic when the time was finally right for you to come.  I don't think anyone could have been as excited as your big sister, when she found out she was going to get her little sister she had prayed so hard for.  Your big brothers tried to convince her that they had prayed for a brother before she prayed for a sister, therefore you would be a boy.   Gracie was just devastated.  But oh the joy when the Dr. informed us you were a girl.  Gracie gloated that obviously Heavenly Father hears her prayers louder than he hears the boys prayers.  Not quite the best lesson regarding prayer, but still very cute :)

From the day you were born, you have been the sweetest baby ever!

You sleep through the night, and have from just a few months old on.  You are always smiling and happy.  You hardly ever cry.  Lately you have learned how to tease and find it quite enjoyable.  Sometimes I just want to devour you, you're so deliciously sweet and perfect.

You're still trying to master walking, but I'm sure it won't be long.  You walk yourself around on every piece of furniture we have.  My favorite thing you do, is you'll be playing and all of the sudden stop and crawl over to Daddy or I and give us kisses.  Just like you wanted to tell us you love us, and then you'll go back to playing.  Ugh!  That's definitely my favorite :)  You LOVE playing tag.  You get laughing so hard when we chase you that you can't even crawl and you get the hiccups.  So cute!  You also LOVE it when your brothers take you for rides on the scooter.  Scares mommy, but you thoroughly enjoy it.  You are definitely Daddy's girl.  The second Daddy walks into the room you light up and make your way over to him to snuggle.  Your Daddy LOVES that :)

It's been a wonderful first year.  I would say I can't wait to watch you grow up, but that wouldn't be the truth.  I am perfectly fine with you just taking your time getting older.  You can stay my sweet little baby forever and I would be ok with that.   I love you so much and I thank my Heavenly Father every day for the blessing you are in our lives.

Happy 1st Birthday, Ava!!!