Happy 1st Birthday Mazy

I remember thinking when Mazy was just a few months old, how one day we would be celebrating her first birthday. That day has finally come.I have to say that I am not emotional in the sense of wishing the past year went by slower because actually, I feel we’ve been able to enjoy it all, but just emotional in the sense that I love Mazy so much and am thankful we had her in our life this past year. I am just overwhelmed with thankfulness.

I will never forget the day she was born. It’s a memory that is so beautifully etched in my mind. The little details, seeing her for the first time, holding our very own little girl. Of course she isn’t as “little” anymore, but boy is she “our girl.” If only she knew the depth of love we have for her. Dan is soon to be going on a New York City mission trip and it was 2 years ago when Dan went last, that someone told him that he had a vision of hope for us. He shared that vision with Dan, and Dan was succumbed to tears. How were we supposed to have hope after losing two children? Not more than a month later, we were given that promise of hope. The ability to have a child. And now two years later, here we are with Mazy Grace in our arms.

That is hope.

That is miracle.

One thing I have wanted to do since she was born was not only blog about her, well ALL the time, but also write a letter to Mazy every year for her birthday. I found it actually to be quite hard to sum up a year in one little (well maybe not so little) letter, but I hope that she finds joy in reading them all one day.

Sweet Mazy Grace, Happy 1st Birthday. We praise God for you everyday and may this letter be a reminder of just how much we love you.

Sweet Mazy Grace,

Happy 1st Birthday Baby Girl! When we were thinking about what we wanted to name you, we knew God would give us the perfect name. That perfect name truly has been Mazy Grace because God has reminded us and given us His amazing grace time and time again. Mazy, from the moment we found out God had miraculously healed mommy’s heart so that she could carry a child and even more so get pregnant, we knew that any child would be a miracle. You, my love, have been a daily reminder that God gives us a miracle everyday.

Mommy’s pregnancy couldn’t have gone any better. We always had a few nerves wondering if you were too good to be true, but on March 17 at 6:52pm, God brought all 8 lbs. 2 oz. and 22 inches of you into our world, more beautiful than we could have ever imagined. Tears fell as we were overwhelmed with love for you as our arms just felt so full. We were reminded often by others how our lives would never be the same and oh baby girl, those wise words couldn’t have been more true. God’s perfect plan for your mommy and daddy included YOU, a precious baby girl we prayed for, for so many years.

Mazy, God has used you to teach us the depth of love, patience, compassion, understanding, and grace. You are a special little girl who loves life. And I mean LOVES life. You have taught us to not let any moment slip away. To make the most of every minute, not missing a beat. From the moment you came into this world to even a year later, you have been observant. Loud noises were too much as a newborn, but now any noise you hear, you turn your head, climbing up our arms to see what is going on. You love being outside and watching life happen. You love giggling and talking to your toys, people, trees, and animals. Anytime we put your coat on, you wave and say “buh bye” knowing that more exploring is just around the corner. Thank you for teaching us to take in each moment and activity.

You also LOVE dogs. Mazy, whether it be a dog in a book, a movie, or a dog that is licking your face, you giggle and squeal. When mommy wasn’t sure what theme to have for your 1st birthday party, daddy right away said dogs and he couldn’t have been more right. You loved it. You see and hear dogs before we see them. We even ordered a dog encyclopedia for you, that is like a textbook, and you flip those pages and make sure those dogs are well loved.

Speaking of love, you have so much love to give. You like to give “big hugs” – those long arms of yours wrap around our necks as you pat us on the back, reciprocating that love. Sweetie, even though you aren’t so sure of strangers sometimes, you make sure that everyone feels included by saying “hi” to everyone you see. Thank you for teaching us to be compassionate and caring for those around us.

Mazy, you have always done things your own way and as hard as it has been at times, we are thankful that you are perfectly unique. The first few months were hard because of colic, acid reflux, and mommy had her own share of health issues, but we got through it together as a family. You also have yet to crawl, but learned to scoot instead, to get what you want. Sleep has never been a favorite activity of yours, but we can’t even remember those nights of just a few hours of sleep because they have all been completely worth it. Those late nights have taught us to appreciate cuddle times and hold onto those moments of you as a little baby because they will soon be gone. Thank you for not living life by the books – God knew we needed to learn the lesson of just trusting Him alone and not what any book says. Thank you for being patient with us.

Some other things we want to remember is how much you love to play catch (you will carry the ball under one arm as you scoot to us, “asking” to play), look at your lift-the-flap and dog books, go on walks, ride in the cart at the store, eat bread and crackers, hug your stuffed animals, push buttons, play peek-a-boo but slowly uncover one eye to make sure we are playing too, look at family pictures, point at the pictures on your bedroom wall so we can read them to you, and of course, bath time.

Your big blue eyes capture many, your whole face lights up when you smile, we love your belly laugh when we find your ticklish spots (which you have plenty), and most of all, we just love how much we love you. Many days we find ourselves just looking at pictures or watching videos of you while you nap because we just can’t get enough of you.

Every night daddy and I thank God for bringing you into our life. And every night after we are done praising God for you, we want to quick sneak you into our bed and kiss your little chubby cheeks until you fall asleep. We pray that God would grow you to be a God-fearing woman who can one day, experience the blessing of having your own children one day. Keep growing little one and keep loving like you do.

With All Our Love On Your 1st Birthday,

Mommy and Daddy
Psalm 37:4 – Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.