Dear Loren,

Dear Loren,

What a clever little baby girl you are! Today you turned one, all by yourself! If you could read right now you would be clapping yourself because that's what you love to do whenever you achieve something. It is absolutely adorable. Just like you.

I am a little overwhelmed writing you this letter today, because Loren, this past year has flown by and you have brought me so much joy that I can't even seem to find the words.

None are descriptive enough to showcase just how special you are. I feel the same about photographs of you. I blind you with the flash of my camera on a daily basis because in real life your beauty leaves me breathless, and it seems that no photo of you does you any justice.

We joke that you are "a little bit fancy" and regal almost. You are just a baby but so very, very, ladylike already. You have only just recently decided to place your feet on the floor because you are a bit of a princess like that and prefer to be carried everywhere. Now you are walking around the furniture and we expect you to be trampling about on your own in a matter of a few weeks.

It seems that it takes you a long time to decide to do something, but once you've made your mind up that you are going to do it, you pick it up overnight. You took a long time to sit up by yourself, little girl. I was actually getting a bit worried, but it seems that you were lying down one day and sitting up by yourself the next. The same thing happened with crawling and I suspect walking will follow suit.

You have your own agenda and I am more than happy to go with the flow, because you are just so darned gorgeous! It is almost impossible to get cranky with you. Even when you are being cheeky. You have a face that can only be loved, although with regards to changing your nappy you have been the absolute worst out of all the kids. The absolute worst I tell you!

You have a security blanket that you like to sleep with. It's the same one I bought you for the hospital when you were born. I remember crying the day that I bought it for you (I was hyped up on pregnancy hormones at the time). I was just so excited to meet you, baby girl. You also have a dolly that you love, it's one of Luca's when she was a baby. You hug and kiss her with such force, I can't believe how early the nurturing instinct kicks in.

You go to day care once a week and although you hated it at first, you really have warmed to the place and the girls in there. They have nicknamed you "Lozza" which I find hilarious. You are the most delicate looking baby I have ever seen in my life and that name is such an oxymoron, although I do confess that I love it.

You are loud, and a chatterbox and funny as hell.  I could watch your antics all day long, as you are a born entertainer. I think you are quite intelligent because when you do things to make me laugh, they are intentional. You must take after me in that department little girl ;-)

In all seriousness, I really believe you have your brother and sisters to thank for your confident personality. Since birth they have welcomed you with open arms and initiated you into their little community without question or reservations. You are included in all of their games. Your favourite game is "catch the ball", and are quite good at it. We play it together every day, you and I - and you understand everything about the whole catch and return process. Such a smart little baby girl.

We have many nicknames for you Loren. When you were born, your dad nicknamed you "Lorenkeet" and that stuck for a while, although the one that has stood the test of time is "Nichi". It came about because we were calling you "Loren-nichi". Santiago calls you "Lorent." It is quite funny and beautiful in the same instance.

Loren, you are such a lucky little girl to have been born into a family with so many siblings who love you so much! They are so protective of you. I always have extra sets of eyes around to make sure you are safe. Santiago is the mouth police. He is always making sure you haven't placed anything in your mouth and scolds you if you have.

"Not in the mouth Lorent!!"

Lola is the stairs police. If she see's you going anywhere near stairs and the gate isn't fastened properly, she will lift you and place you somewhere else.

Luca loves to cuddle you while you both watch television. She loves you so much, they all do.

I feel so fulfilled in life when I see you all together and witness the bond that you share.

Just like your brother, you are a Wiggles fanatic. If ever I want you to sit still for five minutes, I know that all I need to do is put a Wiggles DVD on, and I can go and make dinner or something. This year for your birthday, I am making you and Lola a combined two layered Dorothy the Dinosaur cake, complete with edible sugared roses. I can't wait to see the look on your gorgeous tiny little face when you see it.

Even though you are one year old, you still wake up for a night feed. I'm not going to lie to you Loren, it's bloody annoying! I don't necessarily think you are hungry, I just believe that you are so used to the company at night time that you keep this ritual alive.

Originally we had placed you into a room with Lola to share, although because of your antics, you have hustled yourself into your very own room! Poor Lola wasn't getting any sleep so she is now sharing with Luca. It's not often that the youngest of the house is the most influential, but little girl, you command authority and we are all slaves to your request.

We are so very, very, proud of you Loren. You are such a happy child, and I still get excited every morning to wake up to your beautiful face. You are my little mate.  We share a very special bond, an unspoken one, but it is as plain as day. Everyone can see it. You are a little mummy's girl and of course I love that. Makes my heart explode with love. Gives me a purpose in life. Makes everything worth it. Although you are a mummy's girl, your dad is the apple of your eye. You batt your little eyelashes whenever you see him and he is putty in your hands. You want his attention at all times and if he isn't looking at you, you begin to shout at him :

"DAD!! DAD!! DAD!!"

and then begin your little wave that you do.

Loren, since birth you have been the best kisser ever. I tell you this almost on a daily basis. You love to give big sloppy kisses, and I love to receive them off of you. I feel so honoured to be your mother, I really do. You have such a beautiful personality and I cannot wait to see you blossom into the little girl that I know I'm going to be proud of. I already am. I will always be in your corner in life. I will always be your support network. I want you to grow up being rest assured that you have a safety net, a place to call home. I will make it my life's mission to see you achieve whatever you want in life.  The world is at your fingertips little girl, and if anyone can live their dreams, it's you. I've already lived my dreams, and I continue to live them everyday being a mother to you wonderful children.

I love you so, so, so incredibly much little girl. I wish you a very happy first birthday, and when you rest your sweet little head on your pillow tonight as a one year old, I want you to feel safe and secure in the fact that you are loved beyond measure and time.

I can't believe it's already been a year since I held you in my arms for the very first time. I think about that moment with tenderness every day.  I wish you a blessed life little girl, the way you have blessed mine xx