One year...365 days

Dear Mia,

This entire week, I faced this day with apprehension. Your first birthday. A full year of Mia. I felt a little drop of my stomach every time I thought about you officially graduating babyhood & moving into being a toddler. It's been a full year since I heard your sweet cry & stared at your perfect pink face. Those first moments when I looked into your grey (now brown) eyes & knew that we were about to start the greatest journey together.

And my princess, what a journey it has been. It hasn’t been easy for us – but when I think anything of true worth & understanding it’s value comes with a price. I can say with certainty, Mia, that I fully understand just how lucky we are to have each other. You saved me this year. Sometimes in little ways, like revealing to me that I want to be a better person & a greater role model for you. I laid down the snark, opened my heart, & explored the kind of mother & woman I want to be. Sometimes, quite literally you saved me & pulled me back from the edge. I am alive because of you.

You are the light in my life & everything that was promised. You are so incredibly smart & gifted & funny. Every morning, when I sit you down in your highchair & I cut up banana or strawberries & put some Cheerios onto your tray and ever so sweetly, you pick up a Cheerio & with a toothy grin, hold it out to me. And one day, when you are sixteen years old & storming up the stairs in anger, I will remember the days that sharing your Cheerios with me was the greatest joy in your heart.

Mia, watching you love other people has become my proudest moment as a mother. When you wrap your arms around your Grandma’s neck & squeal, my heart absolutely melts. The smile that lights up your face when someone walks in the room is tucked away in my heart & sometimes when I feel down, I close my eyes & picture those moments. Because what I want for you most is love. I want you to be loved, of course, but I also want you to love. I want you to know what it’s like to feel warmth all the way from your eyes to your tummy as you pull someone in for a hug or kiss your husband on the alter. I want you to know what it is like to put someone above your own sense of self, to only want the very best for them, because you love their simple existance.

Because, Mia, that is how I love you.

And that is my greatest accomplishment as your mother.

Today, I think back on those first few moments in the hospital. I look back upon the year with conviction that we did the best we could, you & I. Not only did we survive, but we came out better than before. And most importantly, I celebrate your sweet life. Everything you have become to me & everything you will accomplish in life. You are perfect to me.

And I love you so perfectly.

love,
Mama

Then...




Now..

I Finally Blogged.

I know, I know... I've been the very worst blogger lately. I've been in hyper planning mode for Mia's birthday party, which is 10 days away! I can't believe it's coming up on me so fast. I can't wait to share everything with y'all when it's all done too. I hope it comes together nicely, because I've put a lot of thought and effort into everything.

I know you must be wondering how Mia is since my last post of her being sick..She is doing so much better! No more fever or cold. Thank god!!!
She is getting so big. Her personality is starting to shine through and she is just the most funniest and sweetest little girl who loves to cuddle with her mommy. Just seeing her face everyday when we wake up makes my day so much brighter.
Let me tell you what she is starting to do...

•She now walks more than she crawls, but she knows crawling is definitely faster .
•She eats pretty much anything now.
•She knows exactly who "mama" & "dada" are. I love that when she's tired she says "mama, mama" over & over while rubbing her eyes.
•She is learning to stick out her tongue.
•She can clap.
•This girl can throw a hissyfit when I take something away from her that she shouldn't have. Like full blown drop to the ground, put her face on the floor, scream & pound her hands for about 3 minutes until she forgets what she's crying about. Total drama queen... oyyy.
•Still sleeps at least 12 hours through the night & takes 2 naps a day.
•She loves to dance. She start to move her hands and butt whenever she hears music.
•She still has 2 little bottom teeth...Nothing more yet.
*She is learning how to say no and will shake her head no.
*She is just beginning to learn how to blow kisses. I started to show her that this week.

All of that and she is just turning 1 years old. Oh she is growing up too fast. But to mommy she will always be my little princess. So Mia, when you are older and reading this please still let me give you a big kiss and hug whenever I want and please let me have that special cuddling hour before you go to sleep.

Here are some recent pictures of Mia!!

I Hate This..

I'm sitting at home while my princess is on her weekend away with Daddy sick!
Mia has been sick for the past 2 weeks now. We took her to the doctor cause one day I got a call from the daycare that Mia had a fever of 101. I rushed over and off to the doctor we went. Apparently Mia has croup. So to make the long story short, the doctor prescribed antibiotics, eye drops and ear drops. So much medicine for a small baby but whatever to make my princess healthy again.
Mia is all done with her antibiotics as of Thursday and since now Thursdays (and every other weekend) are now the days she has with her dad (which is a whole other story to blog about another day). This weekend, Mia is with her Dad and I am here freaking out cause he calls me yesterday that Mia has a fever. Now I already hate being away from her so much but now she is sick and away from me..I am going crazy feeling helpless and out of control.
He took her to her doctor just to play it safe and get her checked. While they are there, Mia gets another fever and they have to give her motrin to get it down. They don't find anything as far as being sick or ear infections. So where is the fever coming from? By this time I am at work on the edge of my seat calling every 5 mins They send her home with instructions to give motrin and tylenol every 3 hours to prevent anymore fevers. And a appointment on Monday 9am for a checkup. As of yet last night no fevers (thank god) and she is up, eating, drinking her milk, and playing. But man oh man I can't wait till Sunday so I can pick up my little princess and just hug her so tight.

And this is why...
Who can resist this face?