I love you more than...

...the moon and the stars in the sky.

That is what I tell Hazel, every night before she goes to bed. She usually replies, "no, I love yoooouuuuu more than the moon and the stars in the sky!" Yup, there is no doubt, Hazel Rei rocks our world. She is the most amazing little girl to ever be born on April 29th 2006. She is fabulous! She is funny, creative, CRAZY, sweet, loving, a dancing machine, a goof-ball, hilarious, and so many other really amazing qualities all rolled up into one blue-eyed, curly haired, beautiful little girl. She is a gift from the Lord...she is our Hazel Rei Montgomery.

(Hazel enjoying her princess breakfast of banana and chocolate chip pancakes)

Hazel loves to hear about how Joe & I were married (BTW Happy Anniversary JOE my love!!). She loves our LOVE story...loves to hear about the flowers, the dresses, etc. She also loves to hear about her birth. I often cuddle up with her, and tell her about how excited we were that she was going to be born. How I could feel her wiggling in my tummy. How we couldn't stop thinking, and talking about her...how we just couldn't wait to meet her and see her beautiful face! She claims she would say (while in my tummy) "LET ME OUT, LET ME OUT, I WANNA SEE MY DADDY!" She cracks up every time we tell her how she peed on her daddy when he was holding her for the first time, or how we were amazed at how long her tongue was. These stories never get old to her...and they never will for Joe or I.

There are few moments that I can remember so vividly in my mind and recollect with 100% clarity the emotions I felt. One was when I married Joe and how happy and excited I was to be his wife and spend my life with him. The second was the moment I saw Hazel Rei, the moment I held her....let's just say spontaneous tears flowed from my eyes, and I could not stop repeating, "oh my God, oh my God!!"....and it was pretty much the same for Joe.

I was overwhelmed with love when I met you Hazel. I was in love with you from the moment I saw you. I adore you my love. I am so excited to see what amazing things God has in store for you. Love the Lord with all of your heart, trust Him, know that he created you special. You are so special in so many ways. You never cease to put a smile on my face, and you are and always will be my best friend and daughter. I love you more than the moon and the stars in the sky!

The pics were taking just moments ago, as Hazel started her extra special day with pancakes (her fav), and opening her presents from Abuelita which included an American Girl birthday outfit for her and Karen (her American girl doll), and a new princess bed set. Her reply to these gifts was, "Ohhhh gosh! Ohhh gosh!"

More pics to come!