Dear Spencer

How is it possible that you have been with us for an entire year? It seems like just yesterday we were bringing home a tiny bundle from the hospital, but it's also hard to remember what life was like before July 14, 2009. When I was pregnant with you, I was so excited to welcome a baby into my life. I knew that I would love holding you, caring for you, and playing with you, but I didn't know how much I would just fall in love with WHO you are. I honestly didn't realize how different all babies are. I had no idea how strongly that little Spencer personality would already exist. You are definitely our precious Spencer, the baby girl who was meant to be with us.
From the beginning, you have been such an easygoing child. When you were first born, your cry was never demanding; just a sweet little "la!" Several times you have been sick, and we didn't even know because you never cried. You definitely get your go with the flow attitude from Daddy. Unless you are really tired, you are happy with whatever is going on around you. You seem to be happy with whatever we feed you, you're happy wherever we take you, and you are happy around any and everyone. People always want to hold you, but they're scared that you won't take to them. I always hand you over and let them know that everyone is a friend to you. You've never cried when you've left our arms.
Spencer, you have made me a happier person. Of course, I'm happier now that I have a beautiful daughter in my life, but you actually make me choose to be happier. By watching you, I've learned that life is just so much better when you're happy. When Daddy and I are happy, you are happy, no matter what else is happening. If something upsetting happens to you, you get over it much more quickly when we remain calm and happy. Sometimes I think that you love to see us laugh and smile as much as we love watching you giggle and grin. I love that laughter is contagious with you. The minute we laugh about something, you start chuckling. If you've done something to make us laugh, you then start to do it again and again. Anytime that we sing, you dance and try to sing along. We love hearing you hum "This Old Man." Singing always makes you happier if you are grumpy. Our magical CD in the car is the Walt Disney CD. It always cheers you right up (except for the Italian Lady and the Tramp song...you always scream on cue with that one).
Everyone loves being around you, Spencer. I would love being with you even if you weren't my daughter. Wherever we go, people just seem to be drawn to you. It literally seems that you are magnetic. We cannot seem to move two feet in public without someone commenting on how perfect you are. When we were at the beach, even teenage boys couldn't stop watching you as you were laughing in the pool. You love to smile and wave and clap for them. You've become a little bit of a ham, and we can tell that you really like all of the attention that those big blue eyes and that sweet smile command. You definitely don't meet any strangers, and you've become more cuddly as you've gotten older.
You are now always on the go, but you will still stop for hugs and kisses when we ask for them. You've even begun to hug and kiss us without being prompted. We absolutely adore your hugs and kisses! You also know how to make us melt with this sweet smile where you tilt your head. Sometimes you sort of bat your eyelashes. I'm not kidding! You have really loved giving us that smile right before you know that we are about to tell you "No" about something.
Daddy and I are so amazed by how smart you are. Sometimes you are playing with your toys, not even watching us, and you will answer us or say something that matches our conversation. Before we went to the beach, Daddy was talking to me very softly about an Oscar cooler that we would take, and you quickly started calling for Oscar the dog. We love to watch you sort things. Today at Cracker Barrel you had the best time putting the butters and jellies into and out of the bowls at least a hundred times. One day when you were eating a banana, we looked up to see that you had put all of your banana bites into the cup holder on your high chair tray. You are a great independent player, but we have noticed you starting to enjoy your friends at school and church more and more.
We are beyond blessed that we have a healthy baby who is such an angel to be around. We thank God each day that He has entrusted us with you. We are so grateful that our family is so much richer with you in it.
We love you! Mommy and Daddy