Happy 1st Birthday, Jr!

I can't believe Jr. is one year old today! She couldn't care less, of course. We celebrated her birthday with my in-laws on Saturday and when we all gathered around the cake and sang 'Happy Birthday' she was a little bewildered. I think it means a lot more to the parents, at least it does for me. WE MADE IT!

Hubby and I were reminiscing about the day she was born and about the months after. The night that I broke down crying and whispered, "She's going to be here...forever." Or when she wouldn't sleep in the middle of the night and I would jiggle and bounce her in my arms until she fell asleep. Or when I came home late from my doctor's appointment to find hubby trying to get her to take formula (she was about 6 weeks old, still a formula virgin for all intents and purposes) and I flipped out. The first time we gave her a bath by ourselves. That feeling of dread when nighttime approached. The feeling of anxiety when we would need to go out but then have to calculate when she would need to nurse and then figure out where and when we could do it.

There were good times too, of course! Watching her with family and friends. Her first smile. Watching her discover something new, like her hand. Hearing her laugh. The day she crawled toward me for the first time. Watching her and her dad together. Priceless.

Our life has changed so much in just one year! I'm proud that we made it through and with the minimum of battle scars. Happy one year to us! Happy one year, baby girl, we love you so much!