Happy 1st Birthday Charlotte!

Well sweetie we survived our first year together! Now that all the birthday celebrations have come to a close I thought I should look back and reflect on our year together.  It feels like yesterday that you were born and I seriously can’t believe how fast the year flew by – and your birthday was bittersweet – feelings of pride and sadness.  I’m proud to see how far you’ve come in the past year – a once small, quiet and immobile baby, to a little girl who loves to laugh, crawl and get into anything and everything that crosses her path.  I’m sad at how quickly my little one has gone from baby to a toddler.  I miss the days when you would fall asleep with me and cuddle in my arms.  You have now become little Mrs. Independent and slip out of my arms at the first chance you get.

I was so scared to take on the job of being your mom – scared that I was gonna mess up, scared that I would drop you on your head, scared that you wouldn’t have fun with me…or worse, not like me – but I can say those feelings are gone.  I know that I am going to mess up at times, and I won’t be a perfect mom…but that’s okay.  Learning to move forward and working through our mistakes is what is most important. Although this past year has been challenging I wouldn’t change one thing.  Staying at home to take care of you was the best decision your Daddy and I ever made.  Having the opportunity to take care of you and watch you grow has been so rewarding and I would have been so sad if I missed out on your first year of life.  The first time you rolled over, the first time you crawled, your first foods, and your first word…MAMA!  We have traveled by car and by plane so you can meet all of your family who absolutely adore you. In your first year you have traveled to Florida, North Carolina, Maryland, Maine, Vermont – you are quite the jetsetter.  Being your mom and taking care of you is the most important job I have ever had, and i promise I won’t let you down or quit on you.

Charlotte you have taught me the true meaning of patience and selflessness.  There were days when I thought you wouldn’t stop crying and instead of crying myself I held it together and rocked you, sang to you, and did whatever I could to help soothe you.  I spent the past year exclusively pumping to provide milk for you – a big commitment that became tiresome and frustrating at times.  I am so happy that I stuck it out and was able to provide you nourishment in a way nobody else could ever give you.  There’s no other person who I would allow to puke on me, pee on me, poop on me, or wipe their snotty nose on me.  I have learned that you can get through the day even after waking up every 2 hours at night, coffee and concealor can do wonders!

We have spent the past year singing, dancing, playing, learning, and having fun!  My favorite part of the day is going up to your room once you wake, you are such a morning person, all smiles and happy to start the day.  Even if I haven’t slept well the night before you instantly brighten my day 🙂  I love going to Musical Munchkins and Gymboree with you, and watching you interact with other kids in your class.  You are such a happy girl and full of joy.

I look forward to this next year together as it will be the beginning of an exciting new stage in both of our lives!  Happy Birthday Charlotte, mommy loves you to the moon and back xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo