i am dragging my feet on this post.
half my heart is racing with wonder watching you grow and change with every moment. but, the other half of my heart is quietly holding tight to you and wishing that time would stand still.
you are beauty. you are joy. you fill my heart with emotion i didn't know existed. no matter how many people told me, i never could have imagined the love i would have for you.
i'll never forget seeing you for the first time. i'll never forget pulling that slippery little body to my chest, or kissing your cone-head. :) i'll always remember how my heart leapt when i saw that you were a girl and knowing you'd forever share the same name as grandma. i loved how that terribly long day of labor seemed to disappear at the sight of you. i'll always remember dressing you in your first smocked bishop and taking you home to meet bertie-girl and see our little world. some of my most vivid memories are seeing you loved on by your grandparents. nothing means more than watching others truly love you. i love showing you off to the world, and sharing you with your grandparents...but, i love that at the end of the day, it's just you and me and daddy. i love our little family.
you have gone from a helpless, bitty baby to a beautiful, bouncing (literally) girl before my eyes. i am in awe of you, precious baby! thank you for turning my world upside down and taking me on the grandest adventure :)
i love being your mom. and if you were to hear me say that right now, there is BIG emphasis on love. i looooove being your mom! really. really. really.
one week ago today, we partied hard on your actual birthday. we had the most perfectly precious backyard birthday party -- just how i always imagined we'd celebrate you and our first year together. that day will get a post all it's own.
for today--know that i cherish every moment of our first year together. i love that we've not been apart for longer than three hours---it's been the most amazing year. i like experiencing life with you on my hip :)
what does caroline -- as a one-year-old -- look like?
- you're almost 25 pounds
- i need to look back at my paper work from the dr. and see how long you are!
- height and weight are in the high 80s% and your head is low 80s%
- you nurse on demand (and you are becoming very demanding!!) about every 3 hours, or so.
- we co-sleep
- you've been walking for a few weeks now...but you've been REALLY walking for a couple of weeks...and you've been walking as your preferred source of travel since your birthday. your little phases of walking have been adorable. i think the frankenstein is probably my favorite -- arms straight out in front. cute.
- you have eight teeth.
- you wear your monogram pendant from grandma every day and people always compliment you
- you say momma and dada often. you've called laura by name several times today.
- as for your favorite word, that can span an entire conversation....."eh." it can be emphasized in many different ways, said in different tones...you use it well :)
- you wear size 4 diapers, huggies pure and natural.
- you love your babies. love. love. when you give them food or drink, you pop your tongue against the roof of your mouth and make the most precious sound. you pat their backs and kiss their heads, then you'll often bury them between the cushion and the couch frame.
- people always comment on your big blue eyes
- you have sweet, soft, silky, straight hair. i describe it has caramel, in color. people often comment on a twinge of red. it's beautiful.
- you adore bertie, but she only likes you in little doses...unless you're eating!
- you are eating table foods now, which has been very freeing for me
- you've mastered stacking toys, which is fun to watch.
- you still prefer to be outdoors--- we spend lots of time playing outside.
how could i ever really describe you with a list of bullets??!!?
you are joy, sarah caroline...such a blessing in my life!
i'm grateful to be your mom. so honored.
happy first birthday!! you are so loved.
my cup runneth over.
i love you,
mom
