Happy Birthday

One year ago we didn't know

...we'd shed so many tears--of joy, of fear, of gratitude, of happiness

...how amazing it would be to hear your first tiny cry, even though the doctor said you probably wouldn't make a sound

...how relieved we would be each and every time in those first few weeks that we'd wait for word on your head ultrasound, your heart echo, your kidney ultrasound and each and every time they all came back completely normal

...we'd become familiar with so many medical terms and equipment, especially the ABDs of the NICU--apnea, brady, desat

...how happy we would be when the doctors did their rounds and told us time and again what a "rock star" you were

...that we would look so forward to those last moments of the day just before we went to bed when we would call the NICU to check on you and get updates on your weight and to those first moments in the morning before daddy left for work when we'd call to see how your night was

...we would still, to this day, think about some of your "friends" that were in the NICU with you; we hope they're doing well and that their families are as blessed as ours

...we'd go to sleep listening to those funny little noises that preemies make when they're sleeping

...we'd miss those late night feedings--when the world was dark and quiet and it was just the two of us in the stillness

...how much your smile would light up the room or how your laugh would make our hearts smile

...how wonderful it would be to wake up in the morning and hear you across the hallway chattering away in your crib

...one little girl could wholly change our lives

...we could love anything so tiny, so completely, so instantly

Eva Grace, you are truly an amazing miracle from God. You have taught us so much. Thank you for choosing us.

Happy 1st Birthday.

We love you