A year ago today.

I remember it clearly.
Coffee with Sarah in the morning. Asked how I would "know" I was in labor.
Pre-natal yoga.
Jealous of a few more stretching friends who were out of the class and holding their babies.
Lunch with Sam, Nicola, Ola, and Jen.
My 36 week appointment.
Blood pressure was high. Let's double check when the Dr. comes in.
Dr. Mills came in.
The words echo loudly in my head - it's time for baby. You aren't going home again without her in your arms.
Tears. Panic. Excitement.
It began....


Since tomorrow will rightfully be all about our cupcake, I wanted to take a minute today to reflect on my own side of the story. It's been an amazing year. Motherhood has surprised me, shaken me, changed me for the better, and redefined what I knew of love. I've had less sleep, smelled more poop, been spit up on, had fewer showers, and left the house looking more dreadful then I ever could have imagined. Yet my heart is full, my life is rich, and I wouldn't trade this last year for ANYTHING. Chloe Jane is the Lord's perfect gift for us. He knew better than us what she should be like and created her to fill that role perfectly. We are amazed at how precious she is everyday. I am reminded of God's beauty, creativity, and grace as I meditate on knowing she is created in HIS image. I vacillate between looking forward to the little girl then woman she will become and holding onto the tiny baby she is and was. A year ago today, if you had told me how it all would happen, what she would be like, and how this first year would go, I don't think I could have imagined it all. But today, 364 days later I can't imagine my life without her and I can't imagine it any other way.

I'm off to lunch with Sam, Nicola, Ola, Jen, Sierra (Jen's baby), and Chloe. Appropriate, don't you think?