Audrey Eleanor's First Birthday

Yesterday Audrey turned 1. Her birthday came and went and now I'm a mother of a one year old. Maybe I've been in denial that she's growing up, but it seems like overnight she seems so much older. She isn't a baby baby anymore. She's so smart and says things like "mama" "papa" "squirrel" (occasionally) and "oh!" when she finds something new. She knows a few sign language words too. She can do simple puzzles and "read" books. She'll be walking any minute. (Oh, dear.) Actually, she's walking around the living room right now with a little cart full of blocks. She got it out all by herself.

Who is this tiny child?? It seems like yesterday my belly was still big and swollen with new life. And then she was in my arms. And now she's in my lounge making a huge mess with said blocks. And she's wearing my necklace, which she insists upon, so I haven't plucked up the courage to take it back. Plus it looks cuter on her.

The point is. I love her. And time is going by fast. Faster than I would like it to, really. Time is a terrible and exciting thing. Terrible in that these little moments of her babbling to herself and playing with blocks are here and gone forever. Exciting in that she's changing and growing into this beautiful little person all the time. And we get to be here for it.

I do feel quite blessed to have her, and I know Phil feels the same. I can't believe we get to be the ones to kiss her cheeks a hundred times a day and tuck her in bed and have her be ours. Our family.

It's pretty cool.

Happy birthday, Audrey. I love you. A lot. But I think you know that already.

Love,
Mama and Papa