Dear Kate,
Sometimes I see you playing across the room from me, and the moment is so surreal and beautiful. There you are, my baby, my beautiful Kate, playing, laughing, clapping. There you are busy forming your own little world separate from me, and in moments like this, I find myself selfishly interrupting you as if to remind you that yes, Mama is here with you.
One year ago today we welcomed you into our little family, and the knowledge that you were our last and final addition has made me savor each and every minute. From the very first moment when they placed your warm body onto mine to the most recent moment today when you nuzzled your sleepy head against my chest, I realized how truly blessed I am to experience your love.
Your innocent love is so genuine and raw, and you express it in ways that only your mama can appreciate. I recognize your love for me when I see your eyes light up at the simple sight of me entering a room. I feel the love in your laughter and hums of happiness, and I recognize your love for me when you find comfort in my arms.
Your future is full of hope and brimming with endless possibilities, and there are days when I think about the future, and I wonder what kind of person you will be. Will you be shy and determined like your sister? Will you be funny and rambunctious like your brother? Or will you be a beautiful combination of both? Time will only tell, but for now I am content knowing that you are growing your own wings, preparing yourself for an amazing journey. I await the day that you’re ready to fly on your own with a bittersweet mixture of emotion. Regardless of the path you take, always remember that I will be here for you when you need to retreat home.
Today I revel in the fact that I am your mama, your everything. Each moment with you is a gift of future memories waiting to be honored. I hope never to forget what it feels like to have you fall asleep in my arms, your heavy breathing a sign of your complete surrender to slumber. I hope never to forget the happiness I feel when I pluck you from your crib each morning, your body sleepy and warm, your face happy to greet the day.
Over the years our relationship will grow and change, and yes, there will be times when you will want your distance from me. And in those times I will remember, I will cherish these moments of today. These moments when I am your everything.
Thank you, Kate. Thank you for trusting me and loving me unconditionally. Thank you for letting me be your mama.
Happy 1st Birthday!
Love you forever,
Mama
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Leslie,
What a beautiful birthday letter. I'm sure sweet Kate will treasure it when she's older.
HAPPY 1st Birthday Kate!!!
Posted by: dawn | June 13, 2006 at 07:04 AM
oh leslie. so beautiful, what a wonderful mama. happy birthday dear sweet kate! you are blessed to be born into the family that you have. more love and support could not be found. enjoy your day sweet girl!
Posted by: hannah | June 13, 2006 at 07:34 AM
Awww. Has it been a year already? Happy Birthday Kate! (I so want to pinch her cheeks.)
Posted by: anne | June 13, 2006 at 07:50 AM
Happy 1st Birthday Kate!!
Posted by: Lilie | June 13, 2006 at 08:13 AM
Beautiful post + photograph. Happy Birthday to dear little Kate. Can't believe it has been one year since we both gave birth to our precious babes!
Posted by: sally | June 13, 2006 at 08:51 AM
Very sweet. Your letter made me tear. Now I want to go home and cuddle up with my little one too.
Happy Birthday Kate!
Posted by: Val | June 13, 2006 at 09:34 AM
Happy Birthday, Kate! What a wonderful mama you have. Beautiful letter, Leslie.
Posted by: shokufeh | June 13, 2006 at 10:48 AM
What a touching post, I needed a tissue to get through it. Happy Birthday Kate.
Posted by: Blair | June 13, 2006 at 11:17 AM
happy birthday little kate!
they grow up way too fast for my liking! i wish they stayed little forever!
Posted by: marzi | June 13, 2006 at 01:04 PM
she can't be one! oh my gosh - where has the time gone? happiest of birthdays to one extra-special cutie! (cheeks are my weakness!) :D
Posted by: mipmup | June 13, 2006 at 02:11 PM
What a precious little girl! Happy Birthday, Kate.
Posted by: kirsty | June 13, 2006 at 03:04 PM
Happy birthday sweet Kate ♥!
Posted by: thesoulofhope | June 13, 2006 at 06:18 PM
Lovely! Happy Birthday beautiful Kate.
Posted by: debbie | June 13, 2006 at 06:27 PM
Wow! Has it been a year already? Beautiful picture and post.
Happy Birthday Kate!
Posted by: myra | June 13, 2006 at 08:00 PM
Oh, Leslie, how beautiful! I can not believe its been a year already. Time flies!
Happy birthday, sweet Kate!
Posted by: yvett | June 13, 2006 at 08:22 PM
Wow, a year already? I hope she had a lovely birthday. What a beautiful face.
Posted by: mo | June 13, 2006 at 08:52 PM
Happy Birthday Kate love. Oh now I have an excuse to put cute stuff in something I still have to post to your mama :)
Posted by: Yvonne | June 14, 2006 at 02:38 AM
lots of love...so sweet....xoxox
Posted by: jes | June 14, 2006 at 08:18 AM
Beautiful... happy 1st to your little one.
Posted by: jesser | June 14, 2006 at 08:21 AM
time flies so fast. happy 1st birthday, sweet kate!
Posted by: marie | June 14, 2006 at 09:57 AM
Just beautiful!!! Congrats on her 1st birthday!
I made it tradition to write my boys a short sweet note each birthday - I think it would be lovely to have in the future.
Posted by: Anastasia | June 14, 2006 at 06:41 PM
Beautiful letter! Happy belated birthday, Kate!
Posted by: Nanette | June 14, 2006 at 08:15 PM
this is a beautiful letter for a beautiful girl. you're an awesome mama.
Posted by: erika | June 15, 2006 at 10:29 AM
Oh, Leslie. That is an amazing letter. It made me teary! Happy belated, babyKate! You're a lucky little girl with an astounding mom!!
Posted by: Giao | June 16, 2006 at 07:17 AM
happy birthday kate!
leslie, you have a way with words.
Posted by: joyce | June 16, 2006 at 10:32 AM
Awww, Leslie, that was SWEET! Gorgeous pic too! Happy belated B-day sweet, little Kate!
Posted by: Melissa | June 17, 2006 at 08:01 AM
That first year goes by fast doesn't it? Happy 1st birthday to Kate! She's a doll!
Posted by: Vicki | June 17, 2006 at 08:40 AM
Awww! That was such a beautiful post.
Posted by: Donna Ferguson | June 18, 2006 at 10:14 AM
Such a sweet + honest letter, Leslie.
I read this on her birthday (happy birthday dear Kate!) but didn't have a chance to respond because of our move..
Wow has this first year passed already!? I even double checked her birth announcement and looked at those sweet hands and feet... such a beautiful girl. I love how you treasure every minute with her - just as it should be. :)
Posted by: joleen | June 18, 2006 at 08:37 PM
Thanks for sharing such a personal time. It touched me and served as a reminder of how my kids are so tender and true to love at all costs.
Happy Birthday to your little one.
Posted by: Amber | June 19, 2006 at 06:20 AM
Happy Birthday a little late sweet baby Kate!!! Journey started talking non stop when she saw this photo of Kate....when I turned to something else in bloglines she cried!!! Happy Birthday from all of us kate!
Posted by: joy | June 19, 2006 at 11:23 AM
While I normally don't like mommy blogs, yours is the bestest of them all. Course I only read to see what Henry's gonna do next.
Posted by: justJENN | June 19, 2006 at 08:51 PM
That is a truly GORGEOUS picture... Happy Birthday to Kate!
Posted by: Charles (Canadian in Hong Kong) | June 20, 2006 at 02:49 AM
Oh my goodness you absolutely almost made me cry here. It made me remembering the first birthday of my Marjolein, she's going to be sixteen in July... time flies!
Posted by: Marieke | June 24, 2006 at 07:08 AM
Oh, Leslie, this photo and post made me gasp (over her beauty) and tear up at the same time. Birthday #1 seems like it came so quickly...I still have your birth announcement on my bulletin board. I've said it before, but you and Hank make such beautiful babies together.
Sorry I haven't been by much...working way too much lately...throwing me off my blogging game in terms of reading. Hoping to get caught up over summer vacation. Happy Birthday to your girls!
Posted by: Marilyn | June 25, 2006 at 09:10 AM
OH MY GOSH! That is such a beautiful letter. I have the biggest tears welting in my eyes. You are such a good Mama! I have an 18 month old little boy that I adore and I could have written ALMOST exactly as you. You are sweet and I love your blog.
Jen
Posted by: Jen | July 06, 2006 at 12:26 PM