One Year Ago

A few minutes old :) 

one month! Nov 08

2 months old Dec. 08

3 months old February 09

4 months old 

5 months March 09

6 months April 09

7 months May 09

8 months June 09

9 months July 09

10 Months old (Sept. 09)

11 Months Oct 1 09

ONE YEAR OLD! 10/30/09

One year. WOW. Wow. wow. wow. People say it goes fast, but I was unprepared for this. Unprepared for how quickly the "firsts" go by, how quickly it all changes. Change is good! I embrace it, and know I have many more firsts and many more memories to be cherished. I adore Danika and love who she is turning into ... but WOW. Where did my teeny tiny shoulder snuggler go? 

All day, Nate and I reminisced over the details of her birth and how vividly we recall them. I wonder. WIll it still be as clear in a year? 5? 10? I wonder. I hope. It was the best day of my life! How sad to forget that. I will not, though, forget the first time I saw her. How beautiful she was, how her little voice squeeked when she cried, and her little lower lip stuck out when she was wimpering. How perfect her little fingernails were and every other little detail was, too. If there was ever a doubt in my mind that God exists, it was squashed in that very moment. It is no "coincidence" that created something so perfect. 

What did we do to celebrate? We had to fantastic parties this month! But today, I needed to be distracted from the tears and the sad feelings I have. SO! We went to Boo at the Zoo! IT was fun- a bit crowded, but still fun to spend that time with my little family. I made eggplant parmesan, pasta and fresh veggies for dinner, and then video taped Danika being sang to as a bowl of mint chip icecream awaited her. Haagen Daaz. Gotta go for the best. And she LOVED it. We captured on video a very loud "MMMMMMM!" :) Love that :) 

Nate thinks I'm silly for being emotional. My mom probably does, too :) And that's okay. I've always been more emotional than most. I cant help it. It makes me sad that my little chub doesn't grab her feet anymore, and doesn't laugh at a panting dog. I can sit a bowl of food on her tray and walk away as she feeds herself. She's independent and stubborn, and has quite the little attitude sometimes! She knows what she wants, and by God she WILL get it. I wonder who she got that from? Hmmm. Not from someone who ran a marathon just because someone once told her she couldn't. Nah. 

Danika is one. I have to accept that and love that. We "do lunch" now ... sharing a bowl of Noodles & Co. mac and cheese as a special treat once a month ... and oogle over cute outfits at Gymboree. Yes, I have taught her how to say "OOOOOH!" I swear she even said "That's cute!" once or twice. I can't wait to paint her toenails, and buy her lipgloss (chapstick), and TEACH HER HOW TO CLEAN UP AFTER HERSELF. Many things to look forward to:) BUt for now, when I start thinking about the bittersweetness of the moment, I remember how tiny she looks in her high chair or changing table and take it all in, so hopefully I CAN remember in 10 years.