The Happiest Birthday of All

Since she's only had one, and such.

We stuck with the classics. Cake. Presents. Bathtime and bedtime. My baby girl is innately gifted at celebrations, we're finding; check her glee out here.

I could write a missive about all Annaliese has accomplished this year-- learning to say Dog, Hi, and Bye; figuring out how to sit, scoot, and walk; swelling her parents' hearts with joy as she plants soft wet kisses on cheeks and squiggles in for cuddling.

I am awfully proud of her, and so I could gush on for a long time, but it's been a big day for everyone here and y'all know how much I love my little girl anyway. So here's to Annaliese Lee, a little live wire who will no doubt keep astonishing me for her entire life.

She received clothes, toys, shoes, and she's got a big-girl forward-facing car seat in the mail. But the present she can't comprehend yet is the one due around Memorial Day: a baby brother.

(The ultrasound technician said she was sure.)