Oh, sweet Oliver Flynn. What a delightful year it’s been with you.  You are sweet and snuggly and adorable. You’re a fantastic nurser and are doing well with trying out whatever I put on your tray to nibble on. Your favorites are greek yogurt, cottage cheese, apple sauce, mashed bananas, chunks of cheese, Cheerios, and black beans.  You squeal and babble and say “Dada” all day without a hint of a “momma” to be found.  You are nearly 20lbs of squishy and are a short thing at a little over 27 inches.  You crawl sooo quickly, and you pull up on everything that stands still long enough for you to do so.  You adore your people, and your people adore you.  You have been the biggest blessing to our family this year, and we could not be more grateful.  Happy, happy birthday, sweet baby!  We love you bunches and bunches. 💙

Dearest Ella, This year with you has been all kinds of wonderful (with a little bit of craziness that had Mommy questioning her sanity). You are sweet and dramatic and a gorgeous mess.  You are delighted easily, and your laugh is infectious.  Your smile is charming and hilarious with those six teeth placed just so. I dare anyone to stay in a grumpy mood after witnessing that grin.  We can't believe how much we love you.  I re-read your birth story  last night, and I couldn't help but feel just a little sad. Your birth was not the one I wanted, but it gave me you.  Adorable, snuggly, cheerful, smiley you.  You were so tiny, yet so very, very strong.  You went from my less-than-5-pounds-peanut to my over-17-pound big girl.  You are a precious gift, and we look forward to seeing who you become!   So, so happy you're ours.  Happy first birthday, Love! You are so very, very loved, our Ella-Bella. Our Baby ...