Happy 1st birthday to my forever baby girl

Addison Guthrie,

Happy 1st birthday my love! What an emotional journey we have been on during this year of your life. It started with you shocking us all. Instead of showing up as the boy we were informed you were, we were blessed with a sweet baby girl. We have had to make many tough decisions over this past year regarding the future of our little family and where we will live. It has not been an easy year, but man, it has been a great one. I have never felt alone through it all because I have always had you with me. You have such an amazing and strong soul. You are brilliant. You pick up on everything so quickly and have understood so much of what we have said from the beginning. One of my favorite things about you is how you have always prefered to have your head near my head when I carry you around.  You push your forehead against my mouth when you want kisses.  It always leaves me with your sweet smell which I just drink up long after I put you down. You give best cuddles. Every single night I have the hardest time putting you to bed. I lay with you to stare at those amazing long lashes, lips, and your dimple chin that is just like your daddy's. I could hold your sweet little body forever!
Thank you for coming into our family and showering us with such sweet love birdie. You have brought us so much joy and have given me much strength.

I love you forever my Addie girl.
Xoxo
Mama

“But the last one: the baby who trails her scent like a flag of surrender through your life when there will be no more coming after - oh, that's love by a different name. She is the babe you hold in your arms for an hour after she's gone to sleep. If you put her down in the crib, she might wake up changed and fly away. So instead you rock my the window, drinking the light from her skin, breathing her exhaled dreams. Your heart bays to the double crescent moons of closed lashes on her cheeks. She's the one you can't put down.” -Barbara Kingsolver

Photo cred due to my amazingly talented friend Sarah Smylie :)  Forever grateful to you for capturing these moments.

Happy 5th birthday to my sweet Elizabeth

To my dearest Elizabeth, 

When I was about 6 years old I saw the movie Baby Boom. Even though it was not a kids movie by any means, I loved it. I loved the story line and I absolutely adored the baby Elizabeth from the movie. I imagined a time when I would have my very own Elizabeth baby girl to hug, love, and care for.  About 20 years later, on April 30th, 2010, my wish came true. From the second that you were born, I could not take my eyes away from you. The nurses begged me to rest that night but I could not close my lids. I did not want to sleep for a single second because if I did, it might mean that my fairy tale dream did not come true. Since the moment that you were placed into my arms, you have amazed me and you continue to amaze me in every step that you take through life. Your soul has a deeper understanding of the world. You have grounded me with such simple, but profound statements.  The world is a better place with your beautiful spirit in it. You are my dream come true buttercup. I waited so long for you. Thank you for all of the joy and knowledge that you have already given me. I'm so proud to be your mommy and I love watching you grow. Happy birthday my Elizabeth. 

"I wanted you more than you ever will know, so I sent love to follow wherever you go." -Nancy Tillman

Xo

Mama

Photos by the crazy talented Tyler Branch :)