At This Time Last Year...

At this time last year, I was washing the tiniest newborn apparel, and wondering how anything could ever be that small.  Now, I'm starting to buy 18-month items and wondering how my baby got to be so big!

At this time last year, I was rejoicing at every little kick her little feet gave me from the inside, and marveling at how I could actually see limbs moving across my belly.  Now, I'm rejoicing with her every time she plants her little feet on the ground and stands up by herself, unassisted, and marvel at how her balance is getting better and better each day.

At this time last year, I was eating just about everything in sight, taking advantage of the "eating for two" excuse for a return-trip to the desert bar at the buffet.  Now, she must be in some sort of growth spurt, because she is eating absolutely everything within reach, and signing "more" and "eat" and "milk" in between meals.

At this time last year, I was feeling as beautiful as I have ever felt in my entire life, radiating "the glow", but also knowing that God was doing something beautiful inside me too.  Now, I just look at her and am amazed that someone so precious and beautiful is somehow a reflection of me.

At this time last year, I was planning for a big day, coordinating with my parents and my in-laws how we would celebrate her arrival.  Now, I'm planning for a baptism and first-year birthday party, still trying to figure out how we are going to balance two sets of grandparents in one house.

At this time last year, I was thinking "I'm going to have a baby this month!".  Now, I'm still in shock that I can say "I'm going to have a one-year old at the end of the month!".

Ella's birthday isn't until the 30th, but wow--what a year it has been!  More on her upcoming baptism and (early) birthday party in the days to come.

Today's blessing is knowing that we have tomorrow off.  Granted, I'm planning on spending the whole day working on various chores around the house, but it will still be nice to be able to spend the day at home with my husband and Ella.