This little one...

...turned one last month.
I can't even begin to tell you what a blessing this little girl has been in our lives. All of our lives. Mine, Ryan's and Sara's. She is such an incredible baby to have in our home. Yes, I know she's not really a baby anymore. But I feel like my kids are always my babies, at least 'til the next one comes. One of mine and Ryan's favorite things to do on our kids birthdays is reflect back and think about the day they were born. It honestly feels like Della was just born. I can remember it like it was yesterday. I can still remember the feeling I got when I first held her, trying to hold back the tears. It really is one of the most incredible feelings in the world. The first time you hold your baby. Some may think the first is always the most special, but I beg to differ. Holding Della was just as amazing as holding Sara, but different in its own special way because it was a different child. I could feel the bond from the moment we met. There was even something in the hospital that was a little different than Sara that I could feel with Della and I think it shows now that she's such a Mommy's girl. That was such an incredible day, and I know I'll never forget it. This was definitely the fastest year of my life, if anyone knows a way of slowing down time just a little, please let me know!! It felt like one day she was a newborn baby not capable of anything but eating, sleeping, and pooping, then she was sitting up, and crawling, then she was walking and now she's trying to talk. Yes, our little Della does struggle just a little. But that's okay! She really does try. Oh I love her! Our precious baby Della. We love you more than you'll ever know! And we always will.

(pictures 1 & 2 by Tim & Kim Photography

picture 3 by Sharon Johnson Photography)