Happy 1st Birthday Anaïs!!

Today Anaïs turns one. A year since she arrived in our world... blessing us with her giggles, her smiles, her strength. She is completely unique from her older sister... a woman of her own making already. She has a mind of her own and will not be stopped. She is fearless and wants to try everything... and when she does not get it right the first time she will try again. Her persistence is inspiring. She is joy... when she laughs, when she smiles... our world lights up. She observes everything, listens intently and has incredible comprehension (both in english & in spanish)... and yet she is not eager to talk herself (barring a few sounds here and there that seem to resemble words). She started walking last month and has been running since... she is unstoppable from morning until nightfall. She reminds me of her father in her calm way... even though she is extremely active and will no doubt excel at sports (already she has a great arm), she is also very peaceful and one cannot help but feel a sense of calm when around her.

Anaïs turns one today... looking pretty in pink!!

We celebrated her birthday starting with a call from papa... she walked around holding the phone to her ear and smiling. Keenly aware of the voice on the other end and somehow seeming to understand that he was not with us, but could still be a part of the day. In the morning a few close friends came to share carrot muffins with cream cheese icing (we decided to wait until papa was home before having the 'official' cake). My mom also came to be a part of the fun... she had arrived on the evening Anaïs was born exactly a year prior, so she planned to be here for her first birthday as well. With Joshua away the timing was perfect. What a gift she has been. I guess angels take on many different forms... yet they always seem to arrive just when we need them most... even when we are not expecting it.

Isabel celebrating her sisters 1st birthday!!

The girls having fun together!!