A difference a year makes . . .

What a difference a year makes...I can't believe a year ago today I dreamt of a Christmas with my baby girl. I rubbed my tummy and told her that we'd have a great time with family, friends and snow! I was anxious to experience it with her and now here it is. That in 8 short months I've experienced a love so unbelievably overwhelming that it's indescribable, really. That although I can spend all day with Isabella, I love watching her sleep because I miss her and can't wait to be with her. Or when I leave her, even though a "break" is nice, she's all I can think about. That the love I have for her grows as she grows, how intense!

And as much as I couldn't wait to meet her, I didn't know how much joy I'd get from her glance. Or from her reactions as she experiences new things and sounds. Her silly smile when she sees herself in the mirror. When I make silly noises. When Gary sings to her. When I dance with her, when she "dances". Her milky grin as I nurse her.

How proud she looks as I applaud her little efforts, be it sitting up, banging cups and blocks to create sounds, "talking", holding her books, the list goes on...But I must say that from her beautiful little eyes I see learning and connections happen and it's amazing. Everything is new to her and how wonderful that Gary and I get to teach her. How unbelievable to think about the amount of interaction and communication I have all day with her even though she hasn't even learned a word.

How much difference a year makes and how much of a surprise that she would bring on all these emotions. It's a feeling that the word "love" seems to be the only way to define it, but it's much more than that, it's almost painful when I am taken over by it, my heart is slowly stretching to contain its growth, but it's usually ready to burst. I thank God for these experiences and emotions. A child is a true gift. My blessings are boundless and I am indebted. I celebrate Jesus' birth but I am forever indebted to him for he bore the cross and died for me. So as I celebrate His birth, I continue to rejoice from the birth of my sweet Isabella.

Feliz Navidad Isabellita, Mami te quiere mucho. ¡Que Diosito te bendiga siempre!