Happy 1st Birthday Madeline Grace!!!

Dear Madeline Grace,

A year ago today I was walking into the hospital with your tutu on my arm and suitcase full of your clothes by my side. The day for your arrival had finally come and your Daddy and I were over the moon excited to meet you. I always dreamed of having a little girl. I had waited a lifetime for you.

I put on my cute floral pink hospital gown and pink headband. I wanted to look cute and girly when I met you. My little girl...

I remember being in labor and being so anxious to see your sweet face. I couldn't wait to see who you looked like. I couldn't wait to hold you and kiss you. I wanted so much to have you in my arms.

After eight hours of labor at 6 pm on January the 6th, you came into this world weighing in at 6 lbs 12 oz. The doctor held you up and I immediately fell in love with you. 

You were beautiful.

He placed you on my chest and you let out the loudest cry. You were here.

We were parents to a sweet little girl. We were in love.

You were the bundle of pink we had been waiting for. We were so thrilled to meet you. We will always cherish that moment.

I'll never forget the way you looked at me. It will forever be in my engraved in my memory. You were looking right at me and then you smiled. You really truly smiled. You took my breath away.

The day of your birth was a dream come true. Truly a dream come true. It was magical.

The following two days were exactly the same. If only there had been more time. If only I could have kept you a little longer...

When they placed you in your Daddy's arms, you were smitten by him and he was smitten by you. You kept your eyes right on him. You were so alert and so full of life. You loved him and we could tell. I loved watching you with him. It made me fall in love with him all over again. Oh how much love and joy you brought to us sweet girl.

Your brother's couldn't wait to meet you. They loved you immediately. Eli thought it was so special that you looked like him. Noah said that you were beautiful and he loved that he helped you to stop crying during your bath. Oh how they miss you and don't understand why you can't be here to grow up with them. Oh how they adored you for just the little time you were here...

Your sweet little face will carry us the rest of our lives. You will always be a part of this family. You will always be my third baby. You will always be my little girl...

I will do my best to honor the Lord and your memory the rest of my life...

Just know Maddie Grace that you were loved. You were wanted. You are missed. You have taught us what "true" Grace really is... and for that we are grateful.

Happy Birthday my sweet girl. I hope you are having the sweetest celebration in Heaven. Maybe you are taking your first steps on the streets of gold. I can't wait to get to Heaven and see you again. I can't wait to hold you and kiss you and tell you just how much you mean to me. Until then, just know how much we love and miss you...

Love, Mommy and Daddy

Happy 1st Birthday Princess Madeline!

Thank you for taking this journey with us. Thank you for loving us and our sweet daughter. Thank you could never truly express how grateful we are to have all of your love and prayers. We will be eternally grateful. Thank you.

Please enjoy this precious video of our little girl. It's truly a blessing. We miss her.

Happy Birthday Maddie!