It was one year ago today, in the early morning hours, that little baby Bella came into this world. I was trying to remember what I was doing a year from last night, but I couldn't remember. Well I shouldn't say that, I know I was in labor, but I don't remember what stage I was in at that particular time. Maybe that's for the best. Isabella Anne was born at 2:20 am two days after her due date. She was beautiful. From the first second she came into this world she had her daddy wrapped around her little tiny finger.
This past year has been quite the eye opener for me. Being a mom is a lot of work! I give kudos to all those moms out there that are super moms and can juggle everything in their lives but still have all the time in the world to spend with their kids. I definitely have a new appreciation for my own mother. On Mother's Day, I think I am going to list some moms I know that have inspired me to become a better mother.
So, what has Bella learned in her year of life? Well she rolled over, sat up by herself, took a bottle, then solids, and then table foods and a sippy cup, she hasn't crawled yet, but she scoots like a maniac, she gets into everything, and she has a small vocabulary. She points at everything and asks "what's that?" It sounds more like "sssswwwaazzzzaaa" but her voice goes up at the end so you know she's asking a question ;) She also says dada, mama, and hi and she fake laughs at all our jokes to makes us feel like we're funny. She loves to read books and do puzzles. She just read Dan and I an excerpt from a magazine yesterday. What a genius. :)
Today, Bella and I met Daddy at Culvers for lunch. We ordered Bella her own meal for the first time (grilled cheese) and she got her own birthday frozen custard. Then she got to go back to work with Daddy for a little bit so he could show off his big birthday girl. Daddy took the rest of the day off to spend with us. Although it is a dreary day, it's been a happy day at the Purcell house. Right now, Bella is fighting off sleep because she wants to enjoy more birthday time. Tonight, the three of us are having a pizza party with homemade pizza and a Disney movie. It's a good day.
I've been doing a lot of reflecting these past couple of days. It's been really hard for me to come to terms with the fact that my little girl is growing up, and although she's not running off to college tomorrow, I know that I have to cherish the time that she's little because it's going to go by too fast. Bella was only a couple weeks old when I broke down in tears because she was growing up too fast. (That also could have had a little something to do with postpartum but the reality of it all hit me like a ton of bricks.)
We had one birthday party for her a couple days ago and will be having the other one next Sunday. I asked everyone (Grandma's, Grandpa's, Aunts, Uncles, Godparents, etc) to write her a letter telling her how much she means to them and I am collecting all those letters and saving them until her 18th birthday. On her 18th birthday, I'm going to give her those letters and let her go somewhere and read them alone. I am so excited for her to read the letters. Bella will be the only person to read them so it's between her and the person who wrote the letter. She has made such a difference in the lives around her and I want her to know how we feel. You don't always tell the people you care about most how much you love them, and this is something she can keep forever. I must admit, however, that neither Dan nor I have written our letters yet. It's so hard to put everything I feel into words. I'll get it done.
Well I'm off to spend the night with my family. Happy March 22! My favorite day of the year! :)
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