Dear Isabella,

One year ago today at 8:07 am, my whole world changed. It is amazing that I lived so many years without you, but literally the moment you arrived, I couldn't imagine life without you. I didn't want to imagine life without you. I dreamed about you for so long and finally...

On the outside, you are so beautiful. You still have the softest skin. And I can never resist smothering you with kisses. When I used to rock you to sleep, I would rub my cheek against yours over and over again, and smell and feel that sweet little breath of yours. I didn't care if I woke you. It was the best feeling in the world.

You got those big cheeks from me. I used to hate them on myself, but I now love that I passed those on to you. They make you so squishy and so lovable. Your once blue eyes have settled on a light brown. And your hair is also a light brown. Sometimes it even looks like it has some golden highlights. You definitely get that from your daddy :) You have your Nonna's nose and your Daddy's lips. When you were born, Auntie Lisa told Daddy that those lips belong on a girl :) You have lost your baby fat and are looking more and more like a little girl instead of a baby.

On the inside, you are just as beautiful and complex. You are so curious. You study everything over and over, literally turning things over and over in your tiny hands. You touch everything, and of course, want to put everything in your mouth. You are super observant, never missing a thing. You always know what is going on around you.

You are so fun to play with, and I am so blessed to get to spend my days with you. Daddy's big joke is that I can't go an hour without you. I can, I just don't want to. We have so much fun during the day that by the time Daddy comes home, it is one big party. And speaking of your Daddy...

He utterly adores you. You have him wrapped so tightly around that little finger of yours. Hopefully, you won't figure this out too soon though! You actually squeal in delight when he comes home from work. And you can hardly wait for him to put down his bag so he can hold you. He is so good to you, and I hope that you will always see that. He is truly one of the best daddies in the world.

You are so sweet, always smiling and laughing. The silliest things make you laugh and I love how easy that is. Life is so simple when you are a year old. You love handing me things and hearing me praise you for it. I tell you good girl and you clap and clap. We do this ALL day. But I don't mind. It makes you so happy.

Isabella, you, my baby girl, are the most precious thing in this world. I am so proud of you that my heart bursts. I hope that one day you are as proud of me. I didn't know this kind of love until you were born, and every day my heart grows bigger and bigger for you.

I look forward to the day when you can talk. I can't wait to hear you say you love me, even though you won't know what that means for a while :) You are truly a gift from God, and every day I thank Him for blessing me with the gift of you. You are so loved by so many people and you have no idea. Your grandparents, your aunts, uncles, and cousins- you can make us all smile a bit bigger.

I know that you will grow to be a kind, generous, loving and thoughtful person. And already, I know you are so much better than I am. You bring out the best in me and Daddy, and we both thank you for that. And thank you for being the light of my life. At the end of the day, if you are well, so is my world.

Love, Mama