Happy 1st Birthday Raelynn!!!!

This post is for my precious big little girl on her special day. Happy 1st Birthday Raelynn! I can't even believe how quickly this year flew by. One year ago at this time, I'd just gone into labor. A labor I would endure for nearly an entire 24 hours. Remember that? Oh but it was worth it. Nothing has given me more joy in this world than to be Raelynn's mom. So for her special day, here are some of my favorite photos of Raelynn being Raelynn.

 

This is the first photo ever taken of Raelynn, shortly after she was born on April 16, 2011 at 11:28am. 

 Here we have Raelynn at about 5 days old, once we'd gone home from the hospital.

 Just look at how tiny she is! Babies are just so amazing.

Two weeks old, chomping on her Uncle Phillip's finger.

Almost one full month old here. This is one of my absolute favorite photos ever. She's displaying what we'd called "Problem Face" and she's wearing that adorable hat Aunt Kimmy gave her, which at the time was too large. Now that hat doesn't fit. Incredible!

One month old, sound asleep. I used to love putting her in that onesie with the monkeys. It hasn't fit in a looooooooooong time.

One month old, snuggling with her daddy.

 Almost 2 months old and on her first flight. This was when we went to Shanghai for her US passport.

 Our little family at the Shanghai Zoo.

 Sound asleep at the Shanghai Zoo.

Look at her tiny little legs! A very hot day in early June 2011, in front of the Shanghai skyline.

 Swimming for her 2-month birthday. Awww!

Drying off after her swim. She is SO cute when she's angry!

Swimming again for her 3-month birthday. Her face got chunkier!

 Rolled over and ready for her 100 Day Celebration!

100 Day Celebration. And to think I thought she was big then! Wow!

At 4 months old, Raelynn meets my parents (Papa and Hey-You) when they came to visit us.

She absolutely adored them!

5 months old! This was right before she was crawling. And she still loves that dinosaur!

 6 months old and looking even more like a doll than ever.

And at 6 months old, she got her first taste of solid food: pureed potatoes!

 7 months old with Mommy!

Daddy's girl at 7 months!

8 months old. Go Bulls!

9 months old and wondering if she can successfully jack my beer. 

9 1/2 months, crying because she doesn't remember Uncle Phillip.

But don't worry. They got along just fine soon after that. Maybe because he let her play with the remote control in his hotel room! Haha!

10 months old and loving her bath time with her rubber duckies! I remember when she HATED bath time. Like in this photo:

What a difference!

Our happy 10-month old!

11 months old!

And finally, our incredible 1-year-old girl. I never realized how special all birthdays really are until now. The gift of life is an amazing one that we should treasure. Raelynn Sharon Qu, Daddy and I love you more than life itself. Every day, you make us grateful to be alive. We are the luckiest people in the whole world to be your parents. We fall deeper and deeper in love with you with every second that goes by. Your smile and laughter brighten our days. You are the best blessing of all!

Now THIS is love. =)