With Emily’s first birthday I have been thinking a lot on what has changed and happened this past year. We have had so many firsts this year which remind us what a blessing from God that Emily has been for us. We waited and He provided.

Over this past year she got to see snow, the beach, two oceans, mountains, zoo animals, Lady Vols basketball games, and many family members. She was able to experience swimming, flying in an airplane, riding in a boat, riding a street car, sharing her joy through her smile with countless people, seeing many sights from a front pack, and traveling to and through a lot of states. She has learned to hold up her head, smile, laugh, roll over, sit up, crawl, stand up, hold a bottle, eat solid food, feed herself, communicate with mommy and daddy, and the beginnings of walking.

While these things are not unique things for the first year of a newborn, it has been so significant in our lives. We have seen a new creation start the cycle of growing, learning, and then changing to just start it over again with growing. As Robby and I have taken such joy in watching this cycle in Emily, our Heavenly Father has taken the same delight in us. As I grow and learn and look to God to teach me, I find myself changing and starting the cycle again.

Emily looks to me to teach and guide her, to comfort and sooth her. As I fulfill my role for Emily all I can do is to imitate what God does for me and pray that He guides me. We are grateful for our blessing and look forward to the next year of wonder and the new firsts we will see in her.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” ~ Matthew 19:14

Happy Birthday to You!, originally uploaded by Robby Edwards.

Today is Emily’s first birthday.

While we were visiting my parents for Christmas, we had a pre-birthday party for her. Grandma made cupcakes and as you can see from the remnants, Emily demolished hers in no time.

Happy Birthday Emily! Daddy hopes her special day is wonderful.

It’s Christmastime!, originally uploaded by Robby Edwards.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Emily is certainly enjoying her first Christmas.

She Found Treasures, originally uploaded by Robby Edwards.

Oak Ridge, TN, November 2007

Emily has taken to collection things, like the leaves in this photo. Rachelle and I call them her treasures. Once she has a treasure in her little hands she doesn’t like to give it up easily.

Playing in the Leaves, originally uploaded by Robby Edwards.

Oak Ridge, TN, November 2007

A couple of weeks ago, Rachelle took Emily out to play in the leaves which had fallen in our yard. Next year, we’ll probably let her jump in the big piles of leaves after we rake them up.

By the way, Emily also has a shiny set of new front teeth. Her lower two front teeth have come in, after a relatively short bout of teething related fussiness. She doesn’t quite know what to make of them. She keeps rubbing her tongue over them as if to check that they are still there.