1 Year Old

May 7, 2015

My dearest Effie,

Today is your first birthday.  Happy birthday, my sweet girl- the sunshine of my days.  This has been the wildest and fastest year of my life.  I’ve begged it to slow down so I can soak you up and drink you in a little while longer, but time just keeps on moving and you keep on growing and learning.  You are everything I’ve ever wanted and so much more than I ever deserved.   I’ll never forget you being placed in my arms in the calm, quiet delivery room and my heart feeling like it was exploding from my chest.  This year you have brought me so much happiness, matched with neverending worry, and lots of lessons in love, patience, and life.

When you learned to nurse, I learned to cherish the quiet moments spent alone with you.  Snuggling you in and smelling the top of your head became my favorite.  Those moments in the middle of the night reminded me that you needed me.  Don’t ever stop needing me.

When you learned to smile, I knew I would never be the same again.  I learned that I wanted you to be happy- always.  I also learned at that moment what it was to feel unconditional love.  Don’t ever let yourself stop smiling.

When you learned to laugh, I learned that it was the sweetest and most beautiful sound in the world- better than kitten purrs, ocean breezes, or wind chimes.  Whatever you do, don’t ever stop laughing and finding all of the joy that there is in life.

When you learned to put your paci in your mouth all on your own, I learned that you may not always need me for everything.  And I cried at that thought, but you were so proud of yourself.  Don’t ever forget how incredibly smart and capable you are.

When you learned to say “Mama” and “Dada,” I learned that you knew I was yours- forever and always.  I also learned that you were never going to stop talking.  Your baby babble is almost constant, and you have so much to say!  Don’t ever let anyone quiet your sound.

When you learned to “sweet baby,” I learned that you have a gentle heart, and I learned what it felt like for mine to squeeze inside my chest.  Don’t ever lose that gentle heart or love for all things.   

When you learned to crawl, I learned that you wouldn’t always be a baby and that it was happening faster than I was prepared for.  Again, I cried while watching you crawl away.  But the moment when you crawled back to me, I melted.  Don’t ever forget I will always be here for you.

When you learned to dance, I learned that you unfortunately might have your mother’s dance moves.  And for that, I’m sorry.  But for now, it’s precious.  Don’t ever stop dancing regardless of how ridiculous you might look.

When you learned to push the walker, I learned (very slowly) to let you go and also to stay out of your way.  You’ll grocery cart someone’s feet and laugh about it.  You’ve got things to do and places to see.  Don’t ever let anyone get in your way or slow you down.

Thank you for all of the lessons, the love, and the laughter this year.  You have made me a better version of myself and have made my life have such a sweeter meaning.  I love you always and look forward to all of the many lessons we have left to learn.  Happy birthday.   

Love,

Mama

11 Months New

You are 11 months.  That's crazy.  This last month has been crazy.  I have a feeling I'm going to be saying that for the rest of my life.  You are non-stop and fun and a maniac and sweet and cuddly and wild and awesome.  We do a lot of laughing these days, because you keep us in stitches.

This month you had a very special day with Daddy.  Your Daddy's family is the craziest family about St. Patrick's Day...and get this- they aren't Irish.  But lucky for you, you get a touch of Irish from your mama.  Your Daddy got your all dolled up and marched with you in the parade downtown.  I had to miss it all, because America still doesn't recognize St. Patrick's Day as a national holiday from school.  I mean, come on, right?!

Also, it's turkey season.  You will learn throughout your life, that turkey season is like Christmas to the men  in your family.  Seriously.  Be thankful that I made you hold your grand entrance until 7 days after the season closed last year.  Otherwise, your father, grandfather, uncles, and cousin would cease to ever acknowledge your birthday for the rest of your life. You are welcome.  Anyway, to the women in your family- turkey season means Ladies' Night and going to supper.  We definitely take advantage of some girl time giggles.

Spring break is my most favorite week of the year.  It is better than any birthday, holiday, or any week in the summer.  There's something about it, and this week the weather has been beautiful.  You and I have tried to soak up every drop of the week together.  We've gone to birthday parties and played with cousins.

 On a complete side note- I discovered that you are a huge fan of Lowes, but not as interested in Target.  That's okay, though.  It's something we will work on in due time.  Lowes is great, but Target is not optional.

We played a lot this week, and you have so enjoyed playing with all of your toys- including your walker from Aunt WaWa.

 We've played dress up and cuddled during afternoon naps.

 We have had dance parties and crawled all in the grass.

 Thank you, Lord, for no grass allergies.  Amen.

The absolute best part of our spring break was Daddy hanging your swing.  It's safe to say you LOVE it.  You thanked Daddy with steady giggles and cartoon-like smiles while you swung back and forth.

Your first Easter was a busy one packed with church, the Hibernian, dinner with family, and naps in between.  You were such a doll and a constant reminder of all that I have to be thankful for.

You continue to love your afternoon adventures with She-She.  I'm pretty (as in absolutely) certain that's where you are picking up some of your crazy.

These days, we have a date every afternoon over a few handfuls of Cheerios.  You are a big fan, and I look forward to it every day.

You are growing up fast.  This past week you also learned to drink water from your sippy cup all on your own, and now you think you are big stuff.  Maybe you'll stop crawling around carrying it in the grip of your teeth like a puppy.  I hope not, because you're cute doing it.

Your new word is "No no no no," of which you say to anything you know your not supposed to touch.  The dog bed.  You have an obsession.  It's gross and needs to stop.

Baths are still one of our favorite parts of the day.  You are probably too old to still be in this 0-6 months baby bath tub, but it keeps you in one spot and protects your head from having to be stitched up before age one.  The days of this tub are definitely numbered.  I'll miss your sweet face looking up at me from it.  You absolutely with all of your being hate everything about leaving the bath, lying on the changing table, being strapped in to a diaper, and having lavender lotion slathered all over you.  I can't figure it out.  Personally, I'd love that.  But whatever.

Like your Daddy, you are a reckless sleeper and move all over your crib.  I sneak in your room every night before I go to bed to "check on you," but really I just need one more sniff of your sweet baby smell on your head.

This time last year I was feeling big and undoubtedly nervous about becoming your mom.  I had no idea it would my best adventure.

This face!

Summer Days

Today is our last "real" day of summer together.  You are snuggled in for your morning nap as I stare at you through the monitor.  Again, #babyfreak.  It is no secret that I am less than thrilled about my return as Mrs. E, 5th grade teacher in room 239.  Everyone tells me it will get better.  I know, I know.  But no matter how many wise moms tell that to me, it doesn't make it any easier right now.  This summer we finally found a routine, and I'm going to miss every bit of our days together- even if I didn't get to shower as often as I probably should have.  I feel like I need to document how our days have flowed.

7:00 a.m. Our day begins...Wake up and eat.
You holler until I pop over the side of your crib and then you go to kicking and grunting.  After you eat you spend about 20 minutes on your activity mat talking to your friends.  I lay on your fluffy rug with you and drink my coffee.

8:30 a.m. Nap in swing, generally.

10:00 a.m. Wake up and eat.
After you finish eating, we may run some errands.  You are a fabulous shopper and I thank you for it.  It's so nice to have someone that loves Target like I do.

11:30 a.m. Nap on Mama, in swing, in crib, or in car seat if we are out.

1:00 p.m. Wake up and eat.

2:30 p.m. Your big nap of the day.  You generally sleep in crib, but I've been bad this week knowing it was my last week with you.  You've slept on Mama a lot this week.  I'm sorry I'm not sorry.

4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Wake up and eat.  Often times, I have to be the one to wake you up here.  I worry you won't want to sleep so well at night.

6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. If we are lucky, you snag a cat nap in here somewhere.  Again, if we are lucky.

7:00 or 7:30 p.m. Eat.

7:30 or 8:00 p.m. Bath and getting ready for bed.
You're favorite time of day.  Knock on wood, you have never once cried in the bath tub.  In fact, it is what calms you down at this hour of the night. We sing and you kick your legs.  Afterward, you love getting all slathered up in some Johnson and Johnson Bedtime Lotion.

8:30 or 9:00 Bedtime.
Bedtime has been a real struggle in our house over the last month.  Your daddy and I were trying to make you more independent and to get you to go to sleep on your own.  We tried the Pick Up Put Down method by The Baby Whisperer.  Yeah, it's a load of crock.  This lasted 1 week.  I now rock you to sleep and very carefully lay you down in your crib once your arms are like spaghetti.  I will probably pay for this later in life when you can't fall asleep on your own, but I don't care.  One day you won't want me to hold you, and so I'm not going to waste these moments.

Now I see you stirring in the  monitor.  You are right on schedule...

On the Day You Were Born

You are here!  You are finally here!  I keep pinching myself to make me believe you are truly mine.  (I also keep pinching myself to keep me awake, but that's for another day).  My sweet girl.  Today is your Daddy's birthday.  Yesterday your Lally was telling us all about the day he was born.  You are 7 weeks new tomorrow and I'm so afraid of forgetting any piece of the day you were born.  It was long.  It was tough.  But it was the most beautiful day(s) of my life- right up there next to the rainy day I married your amazing Daddy.

The night before you were to be evicted from my tummy, your Nettie, Papa, She She, Bry Bry, Lula, Lukey, Daddy, and I went to dinner.  It was great to be together.

Nettie and Papa spent the night at our house so that they could wake up with us in the morning.  I didn't sleep a wink.  I was so excited and nervous about becoming your mama.

In the morning, Nettie and Papa walked us out to Daddy's truck and gave us big hugs.  Now, they REALLY wanted to be getting in the truck with us at that moment, but Daddy and I had decided we needed some time to settle in to the hospital just the two of us.

My sweet girl, tears rolled down my cheeks in the dark for the entire drive to the hospital.  I thought all the way back to the first time I ever saw your Daddy, then through the years of our lives together, and how all those years brought us to this exact moment.  It was one of the craziest feelings I've ever had.  I can't explain the intense emotions that were drumming through my body.  Your Daddy took my hand and told me everything was going to be okay.  And like most times, he was right.  (But don't tell him I said that.)

When we got to the 3rd floor, I remember a nurse named Kim showed us to our room.  Two other nurses came to help settle us in.  I made sure to tell all of the nurses "Happy Nurses Week."  I wanted them to know I appreciated everything they were doing to take care of us.  I don't know if it was my acknowledgement of Nurses Week or what, but they were all incredible.  Seriously.  They are some of the most amazing humans to ever walk this earth.  Every single one was so kind and did anything and everything to make us comfortable.  I couldn't stomach half of their job requirements.  I have the biggest respect for nurses.  But let me stay on course.  This is all about you, my girl.

Those nurses left us at the end of their shift and then we met Barbara, or Babs.  She was a friend of some of your cousins, so I felt comfortable knowing that we had an "in".  Babs was our nurse for the day, and she was as awesome.  She even stayed on past her shift to be with us.  Dr. White came in to check on us and we started the pitosin to help get you moving.  Soon after, Babs made sure I had an epidural to help with the pain from contractions.  I was terrified about this, but it wasn't as bad as I anticipated. Again, your Daddy held my hand and told me everything was going to be okay.

Our family members started pouring in around 8:30, beginning with your Lally.  Around lunch time, she began taking bets on what time you would arrive, how big you would be, and what color your hair and eyes would be. 

I bet 1:30 p.m. because it was in a half hour and I was ready.  Of course, I lost.  Good news...we still won all of the money though.  Your college fund is already started with $12!

The day ticked by.  Your Nettie helped me breathe through the nauseousness with each contraction.  Your Papa quietly stood by watching my monitors while I slept.  Your Daddy sneezed into his shirt and practically bathed in hand sanitizer.  He had come down with a cold that morning.  Everyone kept coming back to check on me and to see if you were ready.  Your entire family was there waiting for you. They waited.  And they waited.  And they waited a whole lot more.  They were really patient.

At 7:00 p.m. when the nurses changed shifts Babs left us and in came Kim.  My oh my, the I love I have for Kim.  Kim gave me peppermint oil to help with the nausea and then dosed me with some Zofran.  She joked with our family and placed her bet on your arrival time and size.  She would gently wake me between contractions to change my position to help you move along.  Kim was an angel and she will forever hold a place so dear in my heart.  If you had an unmarried uncle, I would have married him off on the spot.

At 1:20 a.m. she woke me up to tell me it was time.  Dr. White, who also stayed on past her shift for you, came in the room, and in that moment I remember thinking how everything was so calm and peaceful.  Dr. White is also very special to our family.  She delivered your cousins years before you.  I began pushing at 1:25.  Your Daddy was on my right side and Kim was on my left both coaching me along.  Once more, your Daddy held on to me and told me everything was going to be okay.  At 1:36, I closed my eyes and pushed with all my might until I heard Kim tell me to open my eyes... And there you were... Your teeny little hiney staring back at me.  Dr. White's hands wrapping around your small chest.  And suddenly I felt as if my heart was now outside of my body; and I knew that my life -our lives- would never be the same again.  When they placed you on my chest, I held you close and told you everything was going to be okay- just like your Daddy said it would.  You are an amazing little miracle and you have stolen each of our hearts.  Welcome to our lives, Sweet Girl.  You have made my heart so full and our world so much more joyful.  We love you always.

  

ELE 

18 1/2 inches  5 pounds and 5 ounces 

May 7th, 2014

My Love

It is only appropriate that it is raining today.  Five years ago today it poured and it was the most beautiful day of my life. I am so lucky to have married the most amazing man on this earth who makes me a better woman every day.  I love you, my sweet love.

 

 

Maryland Girl

Yesterday you received a very special treat in the mail from your Aunt Shenanigans. 

I know what you are thinking- "Ewww Mom, really? I don't like Maryland."  Don't worry.  You get that yucky feeling honestly.  But hang with me- there's a lesson here, little girl.  I, too, once believed that the yankees from Maryland were horrible creatures.  When moving to Charleston for college, I felt like I was in a Marylander apocalypse as it seemed that everyone I met was from Maryland, and they weren't the friendliest of creatures.  In particular, it drove me crazy that none of the Maryland male species held the door for you when your arms were overflowing with who knows what, as you try to make it into your dorm.  In my defense, I had imagined that moving to Charleston would entail having southern gentlemen with delicious southern accents at my beck and call.  My dear, always set your standards high, but don't expect Rhett Butler.
Anywho, I found friendly creatures here in Charleston.  They were right under my nose and these ladies became my best friends.  One afternoon during our Freshman year we were driving out to Sullivan's Island and I was ranting about my distaste for the yankees from Maryland and their rude ways.  I said some really horrible things about the entire state- claiming that my Mason-Dixon line cut them out of the south because of their lack of manners; and I am pretty sure I even said, "I just hate all people from Maryland." 
My new friend, Shannon, sat quietly in the back seat.  I really liked Shannon.  We had just recently met, but we had the same circle of friends and we were both in the same sorority.  She seemed to never meet a stranger.  I turned around in the car and asked Shannon where she grew up.  "Baltimore," she said.  I felt the pit of my stomach fall and it wasn't because of your Aunt B's driving this time.  "Oh yeah," I said, "Like in Maryland?"  With a big smile on her face Shannon responded with a simple, "Yep."  I wanted to melt into the seat and disappear.  I had spent all that time riding down Coleman Boulevard complaining about the terrible manners of Marylanders; and low and behold, I was the one with the bad manners.
I'm here to tell you, I was wrong about Maryland.  They aren't all bad.  Your Aunt Shenanigans is one of the greatest friends I made in Charleston.  She is one of those people who are truly beautiful- inside and out.  Together we have shared some real sadness, some extraordinary happiness, and plenty of explosive laughter.  I am so lucky that she didn't hold my ignorance against me that day.  Instead she proved to me that I should never judge someone before knowing them.  A valuable lesson that I believe helped me find my way and appreciate each of my quirky, kind, and perfectly genuine friends.
So, baby girl, don't ever judge a book by its cover.  You could really be missing out on some amazing experiences and lasting friendships- especially those that come out of Maryland.

Cheers to 2013! Welcome 2014!

Wow, another year is about to pass.  Tomorrow we will make our annual pilgrimage to whatever city those boys from Athens are playing in to ring in this new year.  The other day I was told by The Husband that this would be our last year traveling to celebrate New Years with 3 sets of boogie-woogie music.  Needless-to-say, I was disappointed in his attitude.  We will revisit this debate in 365 days.

WHAT A YEAR!  I got suckered in to one of those Flipagram apps that puts music to your pictures and makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.  It may be the hormones, but the video gets me every time.  I can't believe that all of these wonderful things happened to me  in 2013.  From new babies to beautiful sunsets in beautiful places, I am thankful for every part of 2013.  If 2013 was this good, I can only imagine how fabulous my 2014 Flipagram will be. Cheers to you, 2013!  Thanks for all your good times!

Keeping 2012 Happy

Well, I wish I could say that I have spent the last 6-1/2 months traveling the world and was without internet access, but then again, I've never been a very good liar.  My last post on January 3rd was about my "Wall of Happy" which I have spent the last 6-1/2 months trying to fill.  I've done a pretty good job.
January
-We welcomed a new washer and dryer into our home!
February
 -We spent a weekend with my family in Edisto and saw Botany Bay for the first time- AMAZING.

   March
-We celebrated my Dad's 60th birthday and he handled it pretty well.
-My oldest friend and The Husband's cousin got engaged!  I couldn't be happier!
-Spent a (much needed) weekend with my girlfriends and one of them announced she's due in November.

 -The Husband and I celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary.

 April
-A friend and I were invited to spend an evening on the tour bus of one of our favorite bands...yes, I felt like a well-behaved Penny Lane.

May
-I graduated with my Masters in Literacy Education...WOOHOO!  My amazing sister threw the best Graduation Celebration at her home...Happy Cinco de Mayo!

-Matt came to visit all the way from Montana!
-We welcomed a new air conditioning unit into our home!  

June
-My first year at my new school ends as my summer starts creeping in.
-We spent a week vacation with my family in Edisto and I drove the boat for the first time.

Photo taken by Sister

Photo taken by Brother

 -We celebrated The Husband's 30th birthday.

Keeping 2012 happy.  Hope you are too.