One

 My Precious Child,

Josslyn Rain. They say you can't always predict the rain. I know that's true. You are far from predictable. You're our spitfire - our stubborn, fiery, smart girl. Last year, when you were just tiny, pink, smushy, and gorgeous as ever, I wrote about why we chose the middle name Rain. We had brainstormed for a long time but couldn't quite decide for sure what it would be until the day before you were born. It pains me to know that you will never meet our friend, Blaze but I know he would have loved you. You will never hear his silly laugh or dance with him to the fastest country songs but he was so special, Josslyn. He was in an accident the day before you were born, hung on for a few days in a coma, but passed later that week. On the day you were born, your daddy and I were simultaneously heartbroken by a tragedy and overjoyed by the birth of our firstborn, beautiful baby girl. You can't predict the rain. 

One year ago I wrote: "We need the rain to flourish, to become exactly what we were intended to be... They placed you on my chest, your perfect little face snuggled right up against my skin, and you absolutely took my breath away. I have never loved anything even half as much as I love you. All it took was one look at you, one single moment, for me to know that I would die for you. Your have a head full of your daddy's hair and my little mouth. Your daddy was speechless. I had never seen him so in love with anything, not even me on our wedding day. You completely stole his heart the moment you came out. He couldn't stop staring at you, tears rolling down his face." 

You are all that and more, one year later sweetheart. You are my favorite hello...

My most challenging goodbye...

My favorite dance partner...

And my favorite kiss goodnight...

You are the most precocious smile...

On the most angelic face...

And the most studious of babies...

With the most infectious giggle...

You are kind, sweet, and loving. You are strong willed and stubborn. We love all of you, Josslyn. You can't predict the rain. We've learned not to try. How about we just pack our umbrellas and jump through puddles instead? Cheers to a life of adventures together, my wonderful one-year-old girl.

Love Always and Forever,

Mom