charlotte’s first birthday party

Since we’re about to welcome the warm summer months, I thought I’d reminisce on one of my favorite parts of this past winter… when my baby girl turned one year old! They tell you that when you have kids, time flies. But I don’t think you can fully comprehend that until it happens. You blink, and that tiny swaddled bundle of baby is a one year old. It’s both sad to let go of the baby stage, and exciting to welcome all the new changes each day. We celebrated Charlotte’s first birthday with friends and family and a Winter Onederland theme… a snowflake cake and a hot chocolate bar. A big thank you to all that came and celebrated and helped make the day as special as it was. Charlotte had a blast! And a huge thank you to my bestie, Krista, whose craftiness is to thank for the decorations below… she MADE the birthday sign, banner, birthday hat, paper snowflakes, chocolate-covered snowflake oreos, pretzels, tissue paper puffs, labels, and hot cocoa cups. Seriously… the party wouldn’t be the same without her creativity and my sanity wouldn’t be the same without her friendship.

And Charlotte’s one year letter… It’s long, you’ve been warned.

Dear Charlotte,

Today, my sweet girl, you are one year old! I can’t wrap my mind around the fact that an entire year ago you came into our lives and changed it in a way that we could have never imagined or prepared ourselves for. It was both the most amazing and terrifying day of our lives. And every day since has been an adventure. Seeing you grow and change each day has been nothing short of astounding. I look at you now, and I look at photos of you as a newborn, and it baffles me how one little being can change so much in such a short time. You were born as such a tiny, helpless bundle of perfectness and have grown into such a strong-willed, spunky, beautiful, and smart little girl.

This year has been full of joy and challenges. I will admit that it hasn’t been a seamless adjustment to parenthood. Some days were a blur of feedings and diaper changes and crying and desperate attempts to get you to sleep. There were many days that I didn’t even change out of my PJs, much less entertain the idea of showering. But even on days that felt hard, I’ve reminded myself of how blessed we are. I’ve reminded myself that this too shall pass. And someday you won’t need me quite as much and I’ll miss that and wish that you did.

At one year old, you are a sweet and curious baby girl. You’re still crawling… you’re so fast at it that you have no interest in trying to walk. Your favorite things to do are clapping and dancing. You do this rocking hip sway when music comes on and it has to be the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen. I plan to teach you all my dance moves, much to your daddy’s dismay. You love to be around other kids, but you’re a little withdrawn and observant at first. You like to take things in before you open up. You’re a pretty easygoing baby… you’re not stuck to a certain schedule, but you do get cranky when hungry or tired. Who can blame you? You’re not a picky eater… so far you’ve willingly eaten everything that we’ve given you. Your favorite foods are peaches, greek yogurt, and blueberry bagels. You think that climbing the stairs is the most fun thing in the world. If the gate at the bottom is left open, you make a beeline for the stairs, climb to the first landing, turn around and sit with the biggest grin on your face just waiting for me to chase you the rest of the way up. And I do. Because I am helpless against that grin. These days, you are weighing 17.2lbs and are 29 inches long. You’re a normal height for your age but girlfriend, your legs are so long. Most pants that fit you at the waist, are too short in the legs so you wear a lot of leggings. You have 6 teeth, but the doctor thinks your molars will be coming in any day now. Your favorite time of day is when you get to wait at the window for your papa to get home from work. You’ll smile big as soon as you see him get out of the car and bang your hand on the glass until he looks up at you. I know this is his favorite time of the day too. You love reading. And your mama loves that you love reading. When I pick up a book you climb right up into my lap, your back to my belly, and wait for me to read to you. And my heart melts every. single. time.

Thank you, my love. Thank you for all the smiles that make me happier than I can explain. Sometimes, you’ll smile at me when you’re doing something that you’re not supposed to and I have to look away so you don’t see that I’m smiling too. Thank you for making me a morning person, as there’s nothing I’d rather do than get up to see your beautiful face every day. Thank you for showing me a new side of your papa… Seeing him as a daddy makes me fall more in love with him every day. I always feel lucky to have him as a husband, and I hope that as you grow you realize how lucky you are to have such a wonderful papa. Thank you for showing me how to be a more patient person… I try my best to teach you all that I can, but I feel like you’ve taught me more about love, life, and motherhood in this past year than I could ever teach you. Thank you making me realize that we have to appreciate each and every day, because they pass far too quickly and you’ll never be this little again. Thank you for teaching me to love in a way that I never imagined possible. You are the very best thing that has ever happened to me.

The first year of your life has been the very best year of mine.

Love,

Your mama.