HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY AILISE PAISELY HOGG!!!

I wrote this last Friday but I guess I forgot to Publish it.
Dear Ailise,
It has already been ONE whole year since we welcomed you into this world and we became a family of three. You have changed our lives in so many ways and you are one of the best gifts we could ever receive. Before you were born your daddy did not want anything to pink or to girly but now you are all about pink and you are our little princess.

Its hard to believe that on January 7, 2010 at 8:06 am you were born. You weighted 7 lbs 8 ounces and 20 ½ inches long. You were so perfect in everyway possible. We got to the hospital at 5:00 am on January 7th and just 3 short hours and no pain medicine later I was holding you in my arms for the first time. We said that day that you were going to be a determined little girl and the doctors agreed as fast as you made your entrance into this world. So far that statement still hold true of you to this day. This can be a very trying thing for mommy and daddy but I hope continue to be determined and not anyone or anything tell you that you can not do anything that you want to do or become as long as it something that will be good for you.

Today is your FIRST BIRTHDAY. This day makes the end of first and very special chapter of your life and starts a new chapter. This first chapter has been filled with many first and many special moments and a few things that we have had to overcome as well. I know this new chapter will be filled many more first, many new adventures and probably some new obstacles for us all.

Our first obstacle that we had to overcome was one that truly broke my heart many times. You had jaundice when you came home from the hospital so you had to wear a bili blanket for several days. Home health nurses had to come and prick your poor little heels to draw blood twice a day to check your levels to make sure your jaundice was not getting worse. Every time they pricked you it broke my heart because it was causing you pain and I cried for you. But it only lasted a few days and all of the pain and being uncomfortable with the bili blanket were over and we were on to many exciting times.

This past year we have seen your first smile, heard your first laugh, rollover for the first time, seen you sit up all by yourself, crawl for the first time, pull up all by yourself, sit up from laying all by yourself, hold your bottle, eat your first solid foods, drink from a Sippy cup, say your first words and so many more first. You are not walking yet but I think you will be very soon because you will walk anywhere you want to go as long as you are holding on to something.

You are such a sweet little girl and have such fun and happy personality. I really don’t think that you have met a stranger yet. Everywhere that we go people stop and talk to you and compliment you on how cute you are. You will waive hi and bye all time and now you will give kisses and love pats and these are some of the sweetest love pats and kisses ever.

You are loved by so many people already and with the love you show and the sweet personality you have I hope you make many friends and succeed and go far with everything you the become in life. You are a blessing to mommy and daddy and we could not have asked for a more perfect little princess to be our daughter. I hope you grow up always knowing how much you are loved. We love you greatly and we are wishing the Happiest First Birthday that a little girl can have. May this next year and all the many years to come be filled with just as many memories, exciting first, happiness and growth.
Your are the light of our lives,

Mom and Dad