A year ago...

Song of the day: Diana Ross & the Supremes' "I Hear A Symphony"
(This song makes me happy and sad all at the same time.)

...I gave birth to an incredibly beautiful and determined little baby girl...my Alana. She couldn't wait to get out, literally. By the time I was at the hospital, I was already fully dilated. Within 20 minutes my water broke and another 5-10 minutes and Alana was born. I still tear up thinking about that moment...the moment I saw Alana's face for the first time. I felt such relief that she was all in one piece and she didn't have all the things the doctors were afraid she would be born with--Down Syndrome, other chromosomal complications, or maybe even something fatal. I worried the entire pregnancy since they told me all these statistics about the probability of my little one being born with problems.

I look at her now and am amazed at how much of a gift she is. Yes, she is a fireball. She is hard-headed and way too determined...but she has so much passion and zeal for life. She smiles and laughs out loud like no other. She makes your heart melt with a puppy-eyed stare. She walks, babbles, and storms around like a tornado. It's quite incredible to watch her in action. She has so much personality, style, and heart. She does everything full on. She cries at the top of her lungs, talks/sings loud enough to muffle out anyone else around her, and can walk endlessly with those tiny legs of hers. She has so much attitude, especially when she dances. She sways with finesse and keeps on beat. I hope she grows up to be passionate about music, dancing, or both. That would be so odd and heartwarming to watch since I love both very much.

My Alana...growing up much too fast. I wish I could give her the undivided attention I was able to give Kaia. Unfortunately, when you have two little ones that can't fully take care of themselves, it's impossible to do everything the same way you did with the first when there were no other precious body to tend to. I do my best but I fail daily. I hope and pray that she'll grow up knowing that no matter how busy mommy may seem at times, I am always there for her and rooting for her in everything she does [short of sin]. Hehe~ I love her. She is truly my sunshine.

Happy first birthday, little one. You will hopefully have many more to come. You came into our lives a year ago and changed our lives forever. I never thought I could love anyone as much as I loved my firstborn...I was proven wrong instantly. Holding you for the first time, seeing your darling face, moved me at the core and hasn't stopped ever since. I celebrate the blessing and gift that you are and all that you will become. I love you, my puppy.