Anna's First Year: June 2009

Today started off with a bang. For breakfast Anna enjoyed a sweet serenade from her Mommy and Daddy (Daddy over speakerphone). The song of choice was Happy Birthday. Anna enjoyed a nice "healthy" breakfast of pancakes with white chocolate chips.( Yes, we put the candle in the pancakes for the serenade.

At daycare Anna enjoyed another mini birthday with her friend Brookhanna.
Mommy was able to get off work a little early and had planned to take Anna to the lake to see the geese but it was pouring down rain. So instead we spent a little quality time together. For dinner we went over to Alex's house. There we sang happy birthday, had cake and opened presents. I would say Anna had a good first birthday.

This year has flown by as I am sure the following will. Anna has taught me a lot but I think one of the most important things she has taught me is "you never get this moment back, reflect on yesterday, prepare for tomorrow, but live IN today".

I can remember a year ago...anxiously awaiting the arrival of my baby girl. I was so nervous. I remember being so scared as they rushed me in for an emergency c-section, praying that God wouldnt take my baby. I kept myself calm by singing "you are my sunshine"

I remember worrying about what would she be like, what would I be like as a mother. Would I be good enough. From the moment I held her I didnt want to let her go. She was (still is and will always be) so precious.

I remember the days when she slept all the time and I would just sit in my chair and hold her as she slept curled up on my chest. I remember thinking how much I loved her and not imagining how much more I would love her the next day. I remember as she got older and didnt want to sleep in my arms, as much I needed to, how I wouldnt/couldnt put her down when she did fall asleep sitting with me. I remember sitting in my chair at night knowing it was getting late and that I needed to get chores done or get ready for work or bed. Yet, I still sat there and held her because it hurt my heart to lay her down.

Anna has been an angel. Yea, she has started to throw little tantrums but she is still an angel. I cant ever recall her throwing a tantrum out in public. She is my angel because she is a major inspiration for me to be a better person, to be her role model.

I love how friendly and outgoing she is. I love how she says "hi" or "hey" to 90% percent of the people she see's.

She amazes me on a daily basis as it seems she is always learning something new.
So far her vocab consists of:

act---cat
dog---dog
hat---hat
hi---hi
hey---hey
ball--ball
there---there
dat---dat
baph--bath
bell---belly
book---book
alec---alex
mama---mommy
dada---daddy
book---brookhanna
ap---apple
look---look
baw---balloon
duck---duck
ear---ear
da do---thank you
boooo-shoe
ba ba---bottle
up---cup
boo---blue
buh bye---bye bye

I am sure there are a few more that I will think after this is published. But that vocab list amazes me. It also amazes me that she knows what the word more is in sign language. She will sign more whenever she sees food that she wants. She hasnt gotten any other signs down but that still amazes me.

I am so proud of her. I love the fact that she is active (although, I am sure it will be challenging). I love the fact that she loves books and will sit with me as I read or as Daddy reads via a video (we did that so she could see Daddy reading to her while he was deployed).

I love how she cries a little when I drop her off at day care (only cause it makes you feel good to know they want you) but I also love how by the time I hit the front door she is happy with her provider.

I love when I pick her up from day care she gives me the best hug and makes a grunting sound like she is trying so hard to squeeze me more than she already is. I love the smile on her face when she sees me first thing in the morning or even when I open the car door to get her out.

I LOVE YOU SOOOOOOO MUCH ANNA! Daddy and I both love you for so many more precious reasons. Thank you Anna for being the person you are! You are amazing, unique, precious, beautiful....I could go on and on.

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY ANNA!!!! We cant wait to see what the next years bring us (ok...
we can wait...but only because we want to make sure we enjoy every moment possible!)