Happy Birthday!

Today my baby girl turns one, and I thank the Lord for that. This day is a day of gratitude and reflection for me, not only to God, but to so many. I'm grateful for Brian for being a great father to Charlotte and for helping me bring her into this world. I'm grateful to her grandparents for supporting us in her care. And I thank Charlotte for being patient with us as we fumbled through our first-time parenting.
After one year I thought things would be a little different. I didn't realize I would still stop in her room at least once a night to check if she was breathing. I always thought I would be the coordinated easy going mom who takes everything in stride - instead I find myself still constantly worrying about working around Charlotte's so-called schedule. I imagined myself making all of these homemade organic baby foods, but instead we battle through meals until I settle for her eating a few Cheerios and banana bread.
But, I also could've never imagined how great things are. I didn't realize how much I could love just simply being together, like I'm falling in love all over again every day. It is awesome how we can just dance to music, spin in a chair or roll around on the floor and laugh hysterically. And not like she does anything unique to other babies, but when I first see her hands form the itsy-bitsy spider or rock her baby doll, I just can't believe how fast her little brain is learning. And she gives the best hugs in the whole world.
She's my precious baby girl, who's no longer a baby. Happy Birthday Charlotte.