No cute pictures

As we get closer to Charlotte's first birthday, I've been thinking a lot about this past year. I can't believe how quickly it's gone and how much I've learned in just 12 months of parenthood. It has been incredibly challenging at times (teething is NOT fun!), but it has been so rewarding in so many little ways that it almost makes me forget about the rough nights or the fussy evenings. Every time that little girl smiles at me I have such an overwhelming feeling of love. And I thought I loved my husband. :)

Matt and I became parents a little quicker than we expected. We were incredibly blessed in that department. We were lucky to not have to struggle. My pregnancy was relatively easy and despite the fact that Charlotte was so comfortable she had to be evicted from my uterus, the labor went smoothly as well. Charlotte was a big, healthy baby and has had a happy and healthy first year of life. We are SO blessed. It is easy to forget sometimes that not everyone is as blessed.

My good friend from high school is FINALLY pregnant after an incredible struggle with infertility. I am so excited for her and her family and cannot wait to meet little Mr. Blake! But every time I read about her struggle, it was a little reminder of how lucky Matt and I are to have Charlotte. Congratulations, Jana. I am so so so so happy for you!

Recently I have had a daily reminder of what a miracle a healthy baby is. Someone I "know" from an internet cooking board had a very difficult time getting pregnant and ultimately turned to IVF. She found out she was pregnant (a miracle!) and then found out it was triplets. She started a blog and I have been following it since she started it. Things started to get a little shaky and a couple of weeks ago, the three miracles were born at about 25 weeks. The three have struggled and fought for each breath each day since their birth. Their parents have been riding the NICU roller coaster and I am just amazed by their strength, positive attitudes and courage.

Every day I read their updates and every day I am moved to tears. I usually check their blog after Charlotte has gone to sleep and almost every time I feel the need to watch my beautiful, healthy, angel of a daughter and thank God for the miracle with which he has blessed me. I was on the phone with a good friend from law school the other day and she said something that has stuck with me since our conversation. She wished Charlotte a happy birthday, but she also wished me a happy birthday. She said it was a day for me to celebrate as well. I survived my first year as a mommy. I have to say, though, Charlotte makes it pretty easy to be a mommy. :)

I guess the point of this post (if you're still reading!) is that I love my daughter. I am so blessed to be Charlotte's mommy and I look forward to being her mother for the rest of my life. Happy birthday, Charlotte. I love you more than you will ever know.

Charlotte Masters the Sippy Cup

Such a big girl! She can even double fist. (and forgive the nakedness- Daddy feels a diaper is enough clothing in July)

Charlotte Swings!

Charlotte loves the swings at the park, so we checked out Craigslist and bought this awesome one for $10. She loves it!

My baby girl is growing up

Matt and I are about to tackle bottle weaning, which makes me a little bit sad. Not so much that I'll miss feeding her, but more that it's just one more reminder that my baby girl is turning into a toddler. And then she'll be a little girl. And then a pre-teen. And so on. It all just goes so fast! I'm definitely ready for life to slow down. Just a little.

The weaning is also a little bit of a mystery. There are so many opinions on how to do it and when to do it. She's close enough to a year that I guess it's time to start, but I don't think cold turkey is going to cut it. The "pros" seem to recommend a gradual transition, but for you readers who are "real" moms and dads, what did you do? How do you go from bottle to cup without a starving child and meltdowns four to five times a day?

One year pictures!

My photographer friend Meredith squeezed us in for a photo shoot a couple of weeks ago. Here is a sampling of the incredibly awesome photographs she took. Thanks again, Mer!

Such great posture. Her Grandpa Drury will be proud.

My new favorite picture. It absolutely catches her personality!

I also like this family picture. I just wish Charlotte would have smiled in ONE of the family pictures!

I'm not ready

Florida!

We took Charlotte on the road yet again, this time down south. My parents rented a condo in Destin, FL and invited us out. We spent a long 4th of July weekend on the beach. It was awesome! Charlotte was so wonderful on the trip. I'm so glad we can take her just about anywhere. She really is the best baby. :)

Outside the restaurant Matt deemed "the best restaurant in the world"

I'll drive, Daddy!

Playing at the rest area

Someone having fun with innuendo

No pictures of the intro to the beach, but a picture of bath time afterward!

Cheesing it up at Senor Mojitos

Mommy, why are your legs so white?

I'll help, Daddy

Daddy burying Charlotte in the sand

Charlotte decides to eat the sand

Charlotte starts to wonder if that was a good idea

Charlotte definitely decides it was bad idea

But the sand is still fun!

Playing with Daddy in the ocean

Sadly, this is the best family picture we have from the trip

Playing in the most beautiful, clear water

My beautiful little beach bum

Nice tan lines, Mom

Playing with Grandma on the balcony after a fun time on the beach

We went to the pool every morning. Charlotte loved it! She had a blast in her turtle, but also liked "swimming" back and forth between Mommy and Grandma. She kicked her leg just like my little froggy!

The family playing Axis and Allies. I sat this game out. It lasted 3 nights. BORING.

Last day at the beach. Charlotte had no fear of the ocean. She spent most of the day trying to walk/crawl into the water.

Sacked out after a fun day at the beach

Enjoying the show with Mommy
Fireworks on the beach. They were awesome! There were so many to look at. People were shooting them off for miles down the coast. So cool. (And I think I'm starting to see the resemblance between Charlotte and me. Don't think I can deny her!)




This isn't the best video, but it gives you an idea of the noise and the insane amount of fireworks on the beach. You can also see (albeit briefly) how completely unfazed Charlotte was by the noise.

Happy 4th of July!

Not the best photo, but the family on the balcony right before we left. Thanks for the trip and the memories, Grandma and Grandpa!