Dear Riana,

Wish you a very happy birthday. You are very special to Mummy and Daddy. You’ve brought immense joy into our lives. Your first year has been an amazing experience filled with lot of good memories that we’ll cherish for a lifetime. Mummy loves all the things that you do, most of all playing hide and seek with you. You are full of mischief and naughty grins. I bet it is fun to be one.

On your special day, I just wanted to let you know how much we love you and care about you. Thank you for being such a nice baby. Have a wonderful day sweetheart!

Love, Ma…

Today is Riana’s birthday and I’m amazed that it’s been 12 months since we brought her home from the hospital as a fragile little baby and now she’s a brute of a year old. Her first year has been a fun and emotional ride with a lot of ups and a few downs. Overall though, the year has been filled with many days of fun-filled memories of various activities and adventures.

Becoming a parent is a big thing in any person’s life and once a parent, it’s amazing to realize that you are responsible for the well being of a tiny little person. Riana, of course, has made it easy for us as parents being the wonderful baby that she is. We could’ve had it a lot worse and for that I’m very thankful. She took pity on us.

We are now fast approaching the age of exploration and independence on her part. This can, at times, be quite interesting and funny, and at times quite frustrating. Watching her learn a new skill and master it very quickly is a great thing to see and as soon as she begins to walk (should happen quickly now) the fun will really begin.

So happy birthday sweetheart and here’s wishing for many fun-filled days..

~ Daddy