Happy birthday, Evangeline!!

This time last year, I had been in labor with you for 15 hours and your heart rate was dropping with every contraction.  An hour and 15 mins later, you were born via cesarean section and we were in love.  You were ever more beautiful and precious than I could have ever imagined.

At 12 months, you are walking and understanding so much.  This morning after you had your morning milk, we went downstairs and you were banging on the fridge, the pantry, and then your high chair.  You were trying to tell us you were hungry.  The other day after your dol party, I said to you, if you want me to read you one of your new books, come bring it to me.  You looked at your pile of books, went over and picked one of the new ones, and brought it over.  I never pointed or made any gesture; you just understood.  You were for the longest time a very chill, laid back baby.  Nothing seemed to ever bother you, but in recent days you have become more expressive, you laugh more, whine more, and you are much more attached to us than ever before.  You love to take baths and splash water everywhere.  You love music and making music.  You enjoy being outdoors.  You hate shoes and get very upset when we put them on your feet.  You love love love cheese and you enjoy flavorful foods.

This past Saturday we had your dol and it was a special celebration.  Although there were many things that did not go according to plan, we had family and friends there to celebrate.  For the doljabee, you chose the guitar twice.  You were loved by many and that made it memorable.

Happy birthday, my beautiful daughter.  You are so special and amazing.  We thank God for you everyday.  We love you and look forward to many more blessed days.

In this picture:  You never ate the cake and you were barely playing with it, so I took your hand and smashed it in the cake.  It took awhile but you finally warmed up to playing with it but refused to even take a bite of it.