Dear Alice,
It seems like I should have something profound to say on your 1st birthday.  Looking back though, it's all just so...much.  We waited so long for you to come to us, and when you finally did our world exploded in so many (mostly amazing) ways.  Despite the physical difficulty of your birth, bringing you into the world is my most cherished experience.  After laboring all night, the sun rose on a cool, clear April morning, and on the next phase of our lives.  I had only an inkling of how much better my life would be once you were here.  And now, one year later, sitting in the same sunny spot on the couch where we rested before going to the hospital, here you are.  My delightful, chubby, Sweetness and Light.  I love you more every second of every day.
Love, Mama

Dear Alice,

Let's talk about sleep, Baby Girl.  You are the only baby I've ever had, so I can't say unequivocally that you are the worst sleeper EVER (in fact, you're probably not even close to the worst by miles), BUT you ARE the worst sleeper I've ever had.  Do you know that the only thing standing between Daddy's wish to do Cry It Out and at least three totally miserable, screamy nights for you, is ME?  That's right, this epic battle we find ourselves in is actually all one big massive effort to avoid CIO.  And you only have 8 days left to figure out that you should give in and join Team Mommy. 

We could be having so much fun, you and I.  We could be going places, and visiting people, and playing with ALL THE TOYS.  But instead we are spending our ENTIRE EXISTENCE just trying to get you to sleep.  In all your effort to not miss anything, you are missing everything!!  I know, it's too soon for such abstract reasoning, but I'll keep trying to explain it to you anyway. 

PLEASE, Sweetness and Light, don't make us do it!!

Love, Mommy

Dear Alice,

Today you are 25 weeks old.  I can't believe how fast time is speeding by since you arrived.  I totally missed taking your 5 month pictures because we've been taking them next to Tuco and he passed away 2 days before.  I couldn't bear to take them without him.  Maybe we will have a new fuzzy to take pictures with soon, but it won't be the same. 

While I was nursing you to sleep last night I realized that sometime in the past few weeks you've stopped holding on to your ears all the time.  Like this:

We called them your handles since you'd never let them go.  It was like you were constantly answering the phone.  When did you stop doing this, and how did I miss it?

And today I noticed that suddenly you can sit up without our help.  Just like that!  How did that happen so fast?!?!  I mean, just look:

Luckily, you are still easily distracted by your feet.

I love you, my little Kumquat, Mommy