Happy Birthday Beautiful Girl

My dearest Tara

At 3.43pm on the 29th of November, you were brought into this world in a hurry by the doctors. Things had not gone completely to plan, but none-the-less, you were now earthside and in our arms.

I still do not know where the year has gone. Some days it feels like only yesterday that I met you for the first time. Others, it feels like a lifetime ago - as if I have known you like I know my own face.

I love watching you grow and change, and at the same time I hate seeing how fast it is occuring - you are now a toddler, a little girl - no longer the tiny baby I held in my arms on that first day. You are your own person now - and only reliant on me for the milk that sustains you. You love your independance, and you show yourself defiant often. I can do it mum, echos from your body. One day it will echo from your words.

With a full head of hair, you arrived, and even now your hair is a defining part of who you are. It is long, reddish brown, and constantly in your eyes. I must remember to clip it back. I tie your hair up in all matter of ways. Two pigtails are a favourite - your dadda calls this Pixie Hair. When you have one on top of your head, everyone compares you to Pebbles from the flintstones.

Pixie, Possum, Bubba, Bubba-girl, Sweetheart, Gumnut Baby, Fairy, all of these and more are names people call you. Possum is your daddy's favourite at the moment. "Hello, Possum" he says every time he sees you.

I feel so blessed to have you choose me to be your mama. Sometimes I wonder how I got to be so lucky. You are amazing, with a smile that lights up a room. Even now, asleep on my lap, smiles keep darting across your face.

Tara, thankyou for the first year. I wish I could express just how special this day is to me. I love you baby girl. We all love you.

Mama