Where has the time gone? How do I have a 2 year old girl and where is my tiny 5 pound NICU baby? Amelia, you have overcome so, so much in your short life already and I don’t know if I can put into words how proud I am to be your mama. Though it makes me sad to think about how much more you have yet to overcome ahead of you, I know that with your determined and feisty spirit you’ll be just fine.

We recently saw your whole Craniofacial team at CHOP and you did exceedingly well! Your plastic surgeon was very happy with you, you passed Opthamology, Genetics and Orthodontics, we already knew your ENT/Audiology issues (you just had another tube put in back in January & he’s still not sure that you have an ear drum on the right) but you did pretty well there, too, and we got referred to Orthopedics. So, your list grows and now we see Plastics (1), Pulmonology & Sleep (2), ENT (3), Audiology (4), Cardiology (5), Speech (6), Orthopedics (7), plus Early Intervention (speech/teacher of the deaf), your regular pediatrician visits, and we’re starting with a pediatric dentist soon. Phew! You certainly are keeping us busy!
You started sleeping in a big girl bed this month and you love it! At night, you say “night night” to whoever is not putting you to bed and Henry (your rocking horse) and usually Elsa and Anna (you LOVE Frozen) and tell us that you’re going to Mia’s bed in Mia’s room. You’re adjusting really well to being a big sister and you always want to “help mama” or “help dada” (usually you want to help Dad when he’s using his tools!). You love to dance- anytime a song comes on you look at me and say “des” and I say, “ok!” and you get up and dance around the room and my heart melts a little every time. You also really like to sing- “Let it Go,” “Hallelujah,” and the Lollipop song are some of your favorites and also Winnie the Pooh recently. You love to read which makes my literature-loving heart so happy and though we always read your children’s books, we have also read Alice in Wonderland, Heidi, and Anne of Green Gables. You also really like to brush your teeth, get baths, and play outside (“gardening” is your favorite!).

You are growing into a gorgeous girl, my Mil, inside and out. I’m envious of your beautiful blonde hair and blue eyes and I cherish every hug, kiss, and cuddle I get from you. You are very independent, strong willed, determined, sweet, loving, smart (you are so smart!), and somewhat quick tempered (I fear you have my temper though I hoped you’d have your Dad’s), and you have a way of making people fall in love with you. We love you so much, Amelia Rose… to the moon and more than words. You made me a mama and for that I will be forever grateful.
18 month update, 12 month update, First Birthday

❤Britt