Sunday is Sidney’s first birthday. I’m going to kick off her birthday weekend with this unedited letter to her,  from my husband:

Dear my beautiful Sidney,

Happy first birthday!! I can’t believe you’re already one! Amazing how fast time goes by.  I can still remember going into the hospital with your mom on October 14th, eagerly waiting to meet you. And now you’ve turned one and have completed our family!

You’ve grown up so fast. Mom has done an amazing job documenting all your first milestones and there are so many. My favorite now is that you’re trying so hard to stand up on your own. It’s just a matter of days before you start walking. You get so excited when you stand up all by yourself. It’s really cute.

I love getting up in the morning before work and having a nice breakfast with just you, my sweet daughter. You’re quite different than the rest of us in the house, since you usually wake up very pleasant.  You often greet me with a huge grin, which leads to my first smile of the day. Then after I take my shower, we head downstairs for some breakfast. I love how you LOVE food! If we don’t give it to you fast enough, you make sure to tell us to hurry up. You love every kind of food too. Whatever we give you, you enjoy every last crumb! So much different than your brother Jackson.

I’ve really enjoyed watching you bond with your older brother, Jackson. It brings back memories of my childhood. Lots of love you and your brother have for each other. He is always asking for you and I’m sure the squeals you make when you first see him each day are your way of saying “Hi big brother!” . Now that you are starting to walk and crawl all over the place, it’s really cool seeing you and Jackson play together. You both love playing kitchen and having tea parties. It’s a lot of fun to think about all the adventures you two will have as you grow up.

I am looking forward to seeing you grow into the sweet beautiful woman you are destined to become. My little princess!  You have already made me and your mother very proud. Happy first birthday, Sidney Girl! I love you!

Love, Daddy