Month 16

16 months of motherhood. Technically over two years, if you count POAS Day 2009 (October 24 for those not in the know). What an incredible journey it has been.

Today I am reflecting. I am in awe of the milestones Miss S has achieved, and those she is determined to master. For example, she has backwards walking and spinning in circles mastered. She spins so much that she falls over dizzy like a tiny little lush. She is determined to master the fork and spoon. She now wants one at every meal. She's getting pretty good, but the dogs are still reaping the benefits of her drive to use cutlery.
Today I am thankful. Some of you may know about a little angel named Anaya, and her incredible story. If this doesn't make you hug your loved ones tighter, nothing will. This beautiful baby and her amazingly brave parents truly make me realize how much I take for granted, and how utterly blessed I am.
With all the hurdles my loved ones and I encounter every day, all the fights, the disappointments, the days that make me want to bury my head in the sand (or in a bottle of wine), I truly do LML. I love watching my baby girl grow, I love waking up to warm baby snuggles (though I prefer them after 7am, and usually dread them before sunrise).
As I sit here I can currently hear my little miss dreaming. She is sighing, shrieking and making all sorts of other sweet baby noises that make my uterus skip a beat. How has it been 16 months since I felt her kick me from the inside? Just 16 months ago I was holding a newborn in my arms after being convinced I would be pregnant FOREVER. Just 16 months ago she was a squishy newborn, all she could do was nurse, cry, sleep and poop. And she did a lot of all four.
It really hit me how much she has grown when visiting with my grandparents, her great-grandparents. My cousin was there with his new family, including his 4 month old son. They are almost exactly 1 year apart (he was born the beginning of this past July, Miss S was July 13 of last July). A year ago it was my baby who wouldn't let me finish a meal. A year ago it was my baby who could be put down on the floor without me worrying about where she'd end up. A year ago I had the new baby.
Even scarier is comparing her to my 10 days new niece. Man alive babies grow fast.
If you are still here, that you for baring with me as I work my way through these feelings. It is nostalgia. It is, in a way, bittersweet. Of course I love watching Miss S grow and change, but with every passing day I am reminded that my baby is growing up. She is a toddler, a little girl. And, incidentally, if we are waiting until her 3rd birthday to talk about trying for a little bambino, we are half way there. Just saying.



Just for good measure...

Nov. 13, 2010

Nov. 11, 2011