My ONE year old.

Yesterday was Olivia's first birthday. A culminating and bittersweet day in any mother's life. The sweet little immobile baby becomes an entire 12 month young toddler. I played over in my head the events of yesterday's date one year ago. The sweetness, fatigue, and soreness that any woman who just brought a child into the world feels. Cuddling in the hospital bed, in pajamas because I refused their hideous gowns, trying to nurse and love this tiny stranger.
Obviously, she has changed a lot from her days of being a human tamale, safely burritoed in a blankie and contently sleeping most of the day. Now she is a rambunctious, spunky, and independent mini girl. Most of our days are now spent chasing her around and trying to nourish that brilliant and growing little mind. Olivia decided to honor her first year of existence by taking her first real steps just a few days before October 27th. Now her mobility has increased and her adventurous side is growing also!
This year has been so full of love, newness, change, a lack of sleep, and most importantly one of the most special challenges any of us could endeavor: Parenthood.

Then

Now

Party Girl