Dearest Paisley

My sweet Paisley. Today we celebrate your life. One year ago, you surprised us all and came a little early! But that suited us all fine because we were so ready to meet you!

 

My baby girl, you will never fully comprehend the impact that you have had on my life. God placed you in your mommy's tummy at His perfect timing. The day you became a thought in our minds, was the same day that Aunt-T and Uncle Harry found out some scary news. For the next nine months, you and I took on a journey where God performed many miracles!

 

I think you were excited to meet all of us too! Your mommy was at the doctor's many times trying to slow you down! You needed to grow a little more in order to enter the world safely. In preparation for your too-soon arrival, the doctors put you on steroids to help your little lungs get strong enough so that you could take in this big world with your first breath. My doctors put me on steroids for my lungs too :) you and I were getting stronger and stronger at the same time so that we could survive. My lungs needed help for a different reason than yours though, my darling. For a reason you can't understand now, but just know that what God put me through made me strong enough to take in this big world too! Our medicine that made our lungs all better, also made me one of your favorite snuggle buddies ;) there was a whole lot more of Aunt-T one year ago!

 

The day you entered the world finally came and I could not wait to meet you! Na and Carson came to pick me up and the first thing your silly brother said to me was, "wow, you're getting chubby!" Little did he know that you too were going to be chubby! Which made for the best naps you and I had together.

 

Sweetheart, I tried to be there for your big debut but Na had to turn around and take me home. The medicines the doctors gave me just the day before, made me too sick for the hospital. But when I finally met you, you took a weight off of my emotions and sickness. Every time I got to hold your tiny fingers and tiny toes and watch you struggle to open up those big brown eyes, my heart would burst with all the love I had for you.

 

There was some more medicine that the doctors gave me that left me without any hair. I was very sad to look so different but soon enough it started to grow back very slowly. Your precious little head has been very slowly filling up with beautiful locks now too. I didn't like not having any hair, but thanks to you my precious angel, I haven't been alone ;)

 

My sweet girl, I had to say goodbye to my daddy a few days ago. My heart fell to pieces, but God had his timing right again. During the same time that we are grieving for one, we are celebrating for another! The day that he left this world, I got to come home and hold you. Once again you gave me so much peace and happiness during a difficult time.

 

Dearest Paisley, your life has been a blessing to so many that love you. I'm so happy that God chose me to be one who gets to look after you. And I thank Him for how He has blessed me with you.

 

I will continue to pray for your little life everyday. You have so much ahead of you, sweet girl. And your Aunt-T and Uncle Harry will be right there with you every step of the way. We will help you learn and grow and seek to follow Jesus. We will help you take on this big world with God's love and protection. We love you to pieces, Paisley. Happy first birthday!