Happy Birthday Helena

One year ago today I was waking up from 4 hours of sleep (or what I would soon consider a great night’s sleep) as a new Dad. You were born at 1:04 am and I was exhausted but could not not wait to get back to the hospital to see you. It has been a truly amazing year. You have grown 11 3/4 inches, gained almost 18 pounds (tripling your birth weight) and hit so many milestones my head is spinning just trying to remember all of them. Rolling over, sitting, sitting up, eating real food, smiling, clapping, blowing kisses, waving, saying “so big” and watching your arms shoot up like you just saw a touchdown, crawling, pulling yourself up, playing by yourself, SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT!!!!, giving hugs, dancing, figuring out your toys, climbing stairs, and taking your first steps are just a few of the memories and milestones I’m thinking about today.

Your most recent accomplishment is that you have taken your first steps (something that just about caused me to fall over with excitement, happiness, and a little disbelief). I just about lost it when you walked to “ME” the other day because you wanted “ME”.

You are the most special little girl a Dad could ever ask for and I couldn’t be happier to have you as my daughter.

Below are some of my favorite pics over the last year, during which we forgot to take a picture of you only twice out of 365 days. We also posted Helena Month 12 on SmugMug.