One Year Later
One year ago I met my baby girl for the first time. She was wet, warm, squirmy, and loud. She seemed larger than I had imagined she would be and her face was all squished. Although wrinkled, her fingers were long and slender like her dad’s. It was such a rush and mix of emotions. I experienced surprise when then pulled her out and quickly placed her on my chest. Then I had a rush of fear with the thought of “Oh crap. I have a baby now.” Then I felt absolute joy holding her and nursing her for the first time. As I watched her eat, I was so proud and amazed. She came out already knowing what to do! Then I uncovered the blanket they wrapped her in and laughed out loud because her legs were covered in poop. What a crazy first hour.
It’s now a year later and and now I’m feeling a similar mix of emotions. I’m feeling nostalgic for the first day I met her and all that has happened this past year. I’m so proud of all that she can do already. How did we get from this:
to this?
When she figures something out for the first time, I always think “GENIUS” but in reality it’s just normal.
How can one little person elicit so many conflicting emotions at once? While I’m in the middle of a frustrated fury holding a crying baby throwing her head back, she’ll suddenly stop and place her head and cheek on my chest to give me a hug. The frustration immediately disappears and my heart just melts. What a stinker. This is going to be how she’ll get a pony from her dad one day.
I’m excited to see what she’ll accomplish this coming year and I’m also nervous about all the things I will need to learn and do as a parent. I think this is when it gets harder. She’s going to be running soon and I won’t be able to catch up.
I’m so happy to be celebrating her first year of life and there are lots of moments I’d love to relive. Luckily I kept up with littlejanie.org and managed to take a photo of her every day this past year.
Happy Birthday, Baby Girl. It’s been a fun ride so far and looking forward to what you have in store for us this next year. Love you.
Ja
Saturday, April 20, 2013Happy Birthday Janie!
Oregon totoro
Saturday, April 20, 2013Happy Birthday! Can’t wait to see you in a few weeks!
Kel
Saturday, April 20, 2013Happy Birthday to Kumquat! 🙂
Elaine
Wednesday, April 24, 2013Happy Birthday Janie!