About a year ago everything felt so uncertain. I had spent 6 years being a mom to my son. It was messy and imperfect, but it was known! I knew how to be his mom. We knew how to be a family of three. We ENJOYED being a family of three. The closer I got to my due date, the more nervous I became about adding another little person to our lives, a daughter no less. Would I know how to be a girl mom? Would she be a good fit in our family? Would my son enjoy being a brother? Would the challenges of family life still be worth the joy? Would she like me? I knew I’d love her, but would I like her?

The imprint of these worries is still vivid in my mind, but with a year of hindsight they are laughable. As expected, the challenges of figuring out a new chapter of life has stretched us and made each of us grow. But WOW did I underestimate the amount of joy she would bring to our lives!!

I don’t have the right combination of words to truly describe how much of a delight it is to know her and love her. But here’s my brief attempt…

She’s quick to smile, quick to dance, and quick to let you know exactly what she wants. She speaks volumes through her eyebrows and side eyes! She thinks her brother is the most amazing person in the world, always watching him with wonder and awe. When he slows down long enough to engage with her, she’s completely tickled. Hearing them laugh together is one of the best sounds I’ve ever heard in my life. 

She loves to move, play, and explore. So much so that her speed and agility in her walker would probably qualify her for Baby Olympics.. She approaches all challenges with intrigue and determination. Unfortunately this also means that the word “no” holds no weight in her little mind. 

It doesn’t take much to make her happy in life. She really just wants her people, snacks, and 100% of mom’s attention. While it’s often inconvenient, at my core I absolutely love that she’s a total momma’s girl (and know it won’t be the case forever). It might mean that it takes me 2x as long to put her down for nap or bedtime, but I soak up the 32 sloppy kisses and thorough amount of snuggles she gives me. It also means that there are days that I feel utterly unproductive, but she reminds me that the privilege of raising her (and her brother) are the most important of tasks right now. How can I resist those chubby little arms when they reach out for me to hold her.

I am so thankful that I get to be her mom! I am so thankful for the ways that she has forever changed and enriched our lives. & I am especially thankful for all of the time I’ve gotten to spend with her this first year!

Happy birthday baby girl!! We love you to pieces and can’t wait to continue to learn more about you as you grow.

If I were a betting woman, I would’ve bet money that our spunky girl would joyfully eat fistfuls of cake. In a shocking turn of events, she had LITTLE interest in actually eating her smash cake. There was lots of examining the cake, flirting with the cake, and tasting some icing…but no messy fistfuls (unless you count the encouraging demonstration put on by her older brother)

Nevertheless, I’m thankful to have these little details documented forever. The tutu dress, the long lashes, sparkly blue eyes, the curiosity, the proud clapping, the tiny toes curled up next to the cake stand.

It was so fun to celebrate this milestone with loved ones at the Wildflower Lookout in Lancaster PA.

Baby’s first birthday is a milestone to memorialize! Reach out today to learn more about how I can serve your family in this way.