Ellie: 12 Months

Dear Ellie,

12 Months. One. I cannot believe a year has passed since you were born but I also can't remember what our life was like without you in it (well maybe, there was a bit more sleep). Before you were born I didn't understand how I would possibly love another child like I loved your sister. I worried that your first months and first year wouldn't be as good or as intentional as Molly's had been. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to divide my attention and love in two - to be able to be a good Mom to two littles was daunting.

And then you arrived and you were perfect. A little sister for Molly. Another baby girl for Mom and Dad. We were so happy and that love I was worried about, wow did it ever pour right out of me. Over this past year I have lived through all those wonderful and hard newborn and baby days and while I didn't enjoy every minute of it (not a big newborn fan) I did relish in the sweet moments that I will try my very hardest to never forget.

From the first day, you were different than your sister...milder, calmer, more relaxed. It was like you knew what I needed, you knew that I would have to juggle between you and your sister and you just went with the flow. I was so lucky that you understood this or I might not have survived. Watching you grow, all the milestones - smile, laugh, roll over, sit up, crawl, stand up - it was just as magical the second time around. My very favorite is when you get so excited and happy that your legs kick and your entire body just kind of lights up. And that dimple...oh my goodness that dimple.

So what I am trying to say is, you are perfect in our eyes and we love you more than we ever thought possible. Our family needed you to be whole and we are so glad you are here. I look forward to this next year ahead and all of the fun we will have. 12 Months. It went by so fast.



Stats: 
20 lbs 12oz
30.5 inches tall
Teeth: 4 (2 top, 2 bottom)

Likes:
Opening and closing doors (any and all doors)
Unloading things and loading them back up
The door stop, loves to play with it
Climb...everything is something to climb on
Sliding
Balloons

Dislikes:
Being told No
Having to be still (getting dressed, diaper changes, car seat etc.)
Being removed from a dangerous climbing situation

Milestones/Firsts:
First Birthday!!
Blowing kisses
Taking a few steps (I give it 2-3 weeks until she is walking for real)
Going down the slide
Eating cake!

Happy Birthday Ellie

Our sweet baby girl turned one...



we love you so much. Happy Birthday Ellie! xoxo

One More Day (second time around)...

I published a post the day before Molly, my 4 year old, turned One about the last day before her birth. It was the last day of my childless life and I had absolutely no idea how dramatically and quickly my life was about to change (in every possible way).

Now here I sit, one more day until my second baby girl, Ellie, turns One. Tomorrow morning when I wake up I will have a 4 year old and a 1 year old. It blows my mind. This last year has been amazing but its also been hard, trying, utterly exhausting and so many other things. Having a second child didn't rock my entire world the same way having our first did, but once again everything we knew about our daily life was turned upside down. My then 3 year old went through her own growth pains as a new big sister along with the rest of my family as we learned how to exist and be happy as a family of 4. But here we are. 364 days later. We survived. And my goodness how we are blessed. So blessed.

This time last year was just a normal day and we were not even close to being prepared to welcome our second baby. Her due date was 3 weeks away. My midwife had checked me and I was barely 1 centimeter dilated. We had time.

Chase and I were on the couch watching a movie. It was around midnight and I got up to go to the bathroom. When I did my water broke. I looked at Chase and started to kinda freak out. I wasn't ready. Molly wasn't ready. I thought I had a couple more weeks to soak in my first baby and plan a few more adventures. But the baby was ready and she was coming.

I called my midwife and told her. She told me to go back to bed and try to relax while we waited for things to really get started. So I went and curled up in bed and tried to really enjoy the quiet, the calm, the normal before everything would be turned upside down again.

364 days ago...