Dear Olivia,

We celebrated your last first holiday! The 4th of July! I love the fourth! It's one of my most favorite holidays in the whole entire world! It was a bitter sweet celebrating your last first holiday. I can't believe you'll be one in less than a month. Where did my baby go!?!

Fourth of July was a little rough for you. We stayed up too late the night before and you were a wee bit cranky for the parade. Not horrible, but slightly cranky. Mostly you just crawled around while I kept pulling candy out of your mouth! You did clap and dance to the music. You love music! I loved watching you dance! You were just grinning from ear to ear!

Fireworks were really REALLY rough. You were done. Cranky beyond reason by this point. You really could've used a second nap, but you refused to nap at Aunt Shawna's. We got to the firework spot and you started doing what you normally do when you are overly tired. One second your smiling the next second you are arching your back screaming flailing around. I couldn't wait for the fireworks to start. I was hoping it would distract you. Your Dad and I took our customary lay down and watch the firework stance. We soon realized you didn't want to lay down and you didn't want to sit up. A couple minutes in, I realized if I wanted to see any fireworks, I was left with on option. With no cover available I silently prayed everyone would be too distracted by the fireworks and I nursed you right there in the middle of a huge crowd of people! It worked though. You would nurse and then stop and look up at the fireworks than nurse some more.

Unfortunately I ran dry before the fireworks were done. I was left with no choice but to give up our tradition and move to a lawn chair. Luckily your Dad and Bently joined us so I still got to watch the fireworks with my family. Mid firework show I couldn't help but cry just a little. Not because I was so, but because I was so incredibly happy. There I was celebrating my favorite holiday with my own little family. I felt so incredibly blessed because I am.

I love you so much Olivia Beth! I love celebrating holidays with you! I can't wait to start celebrating all our second holidays together! :)

Love,
Mom