Tighten Up Your Buns, Areli is ONE!

*This post is also being featured on the Miracles for Mito blog. Every week there is a different blogger, writing about what it is like day to day to care for a child with mito, or who live with the disease themselves. Check it out, new posts every Sunday!

Baby girl I can't believe you are ONE! I know everyone says it but this year has flown by! Your first year of life didn't go as planned.. You had to endure more hospital stays, procedures, anesthesia and blood draws than most adults. I wished at every moment I could take your place and feel the pain for you. You are one tough cookie, my love. Even though your first 365 days of life weren't exactly how we envisioned, you have lived and fought every second of those three hundred and sixty-five days. You have 10 perfect little fingers and 10 perfect little toes. You have a beautiful smile and infectious laugh. You are the best little sister and perfect little daughter. You have conquered your hurdles like an Olympic track star. You have accomplished things we weren't sure you would be able to. You are showing us you are stronger than we know. You have taught us patience, acceptance, perseverance, advocacy, and strength. You have taught us it is okay to cry. You have given me a drive and purpose- to be the best mother/advocate for you I can, and to raise awareness for Mitochondrial Disease. You have blessed us for a whole year and will bless us for the rest of our lives. You have thousands of supporters all around the world and you, my child, is spreading awareness of your disease before you can even talk. I couldn't be more proud of you and I couldn't be more blessed that you are ONE! Here are some photos of our celebration:

Areli's watermelon cake!*

 

Big sister Leilani eating a cupcake

Areli's cousins and Aunt.

*Watermelon cake recipe: it is really very simple, cut the watermelon to shape, frost with Vanilla Greek Yogurt (or any other flavor) and decorate with fruit! We crumbled chocolate and sprinkled it on the sides, but a good substitute would be crushed nuts- ENJOY!