the zoo

It was a beautiful day today so daddy and I decided we would take an impromptu trip to the zoo!!!

You were the cutest. Pretty excited to see all the animals (though you didn't like the goats getting up close and personal) and you pointed at ALL of them. You also made a "fffff" sound (your version of a dog bark) for every single animal. It was pretty cute.

We got a season's pass so there will be a few more zoo trips in your near future.

We came home and spent most of the afternoon outside. You had so much fun playing outside but we discovered you have a fear of grass! You seriously hate it. You got mad anytime you touched it. We are going to have to work on that!

You were such a happy girl today and so much fun. You've been a little grumpy pants lately because I think you have some teeth coming in. You have also been partying in the middle of the night so we have all been a little tired as of late.

Love you so much  baby girl, so glad we get another weekend day together!

sleep tight

xoxo 

mommy

you're a rockstar

You had your one year appointment today (a month late mind you) and I was so proud of you. You got poked and prodded and had to endure THREE needles! THREE! You cried but only while they were being administered and as soon as the doc was done, you hugged me tight, cuddled me and stopped crying immediately. 

You were a ray of sunshine the majority of the rest of the day. We had an awesome day together. 

You made me laugh constantly, played happily while I folded laundry, and you ate so much! I think I'm more impressed by you each day. 

You weigh 20.6lbs and are 29.5 inches tall. You are PERFECT.

I also caught you standing a few times without holding on. You may just be walking sooner than we think! 

You're a chatterbox for sure. Constantly talking these days. I wish I knew what you were saying half the time. Some words you say (that I understand): mom, daddy, up, ball, bubble, doggie, hi. 

It seems like you're saying (or trying to say) something new every day.

I'm going away for a girls weekend this weekend. My first and longest night away from you. I'm excited to have some adult time but I'm going to miss you like crazy. I know daddy will ta.ke care for you and you''ll have so much fun. Daddy seems to be your favorite these days. 

Today when we were leaving a store you started waving and yelling "daddy" at a man in a uniform like your dads. You were so excited and I felt so bad I couldn't make your dad appear at that moment. The connection you two have is so special. Your face just lights up when he comes home at night

I love you my sweet, perfectly growing girl. I'll miss you like crazy this weekend but I loved having our day together today. 

Sleep tight my princess

mommy xoxo

happy mother's day to me

this year I received my first every craft from you. I suspect you got some help from Miss Sharon, but either way, I'll cherish it always!

Daddy watched you yesterday while I went and got a pedicure, then you and daddy got me a beautiful card and some gorgeous flowers! We all went out for breakfast together and then spent the day doing stuff around the house. It was perfect.

You made me a mommy, sweet girl. You forever changed my life and gave me a reason to celebrate mother's day. I love you with my whole heart and I know I was meant to be your mom.

the most beautiful girl in the world

Yup. That's you. You are stunning.

You also look so grown up! I love you sweet, gorgeous girl! 

xo

mom

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happy birthday baby girl

Happy first birthday to the sweetest girl in the world.
My phone was bombarded with lovely and loving messages all for you. You are loved so much by so many.
The world became a much better and brighter place to a lot of people a year ago today.
Love you sweet girl, cheers to many many many more

xo
mommy

a baby tonight, a toddler in the morning

I laid you down a baby, tomorrow you will wake a one year old. Wow.

I cried carrying you upstairs, knowing that tomorrow you're officially a toddler. How quickly a year has passed and how much you've changed my life in ways I will never begin to explain or fully comprehend.

You are growing more intelligent by the day. You've started saying "uh-oh" just over the weekend and are trying to copy other things we say too. It's amazing watching you hear something and think about how you can recreate that sound.

Within the last week you have started letting go while you're standing up. You usually only stand for a second or two but we can see you getting more brave. You don't seem very interesting in walking, maybe that's because you crawl so fast. But there's lots of time for that.

So so much has happened during the last year. We watched you grow from this tiny helpless baby girl to this independent little toddler. You are so friendly and so very sweet. You love giving kisses and your daddy and I just love getting them. 

You have filled out our home with toys and little girl clothes and you have filled out hearts with a love we never knew could exist. 

As much as I struggle with the fact that the last year flew by, I look forward to all of the memories we will make, all the moments we will share, and all of the joy I know you will continue to bring into our lives.

I remember getting pregnant, we were obviously very excited, and when you arrived we knew life would never be the same. But no one could have ever prepared me for how deep my love for you is, how complete it is, how unshakable. I guess that is one of those things you truly cannot begin to understand until you become a parent. Until you fall in love with your child. 

One year ago tomorrow you came into this world and made it a better place. One year ago tomorrow my heart changed in a way I never thought possible. One year ago tomorrow you made me a mother and I now know, that this is what I was meant to be: your mom.

I love you Annabelle. Your dad and I both love you so much. 

Sweet dreams sweet girl for in the morning you will be one and we start a whole new year of wonderful!

xo

the park

today you went to the park for the first time. You went in a swing, went down the slide and walked around the playground (with mommy's help) all for the first time. You did it all with a smile on your face (as if you would do it any other way).

It was a beautiful day, made more beautiful by your happy smile. 

We took you out for dinner and you were hamming it up like you always do! I'm so thankful I only had to work one day last week and that our first weekend together is a long one! 

You and I still have another day together before I go back to work, so we will make it count! Maybe another trip to the park, or walk around the neighborhood. Either way, I know you'll be smiling and so will I.

Love you my sweet girl. xo

mommy