Monday, March 25, 2013

Weekend.

One candle //Birthday morning and a Wheely Bug! // Snacks for moms & babies.

Before I had Alice I never understood that whole mommy thing of crying when your child reaches a certain milestone.  Taking those first steps.  Riding a bike.  Going to kindergarten.  I'd talked with my friends and seen status updates on the tears they'd shed as they watched their baby grow and I just couldn't relate!

Until Alice turned one.

Oh.  Wow.  I was a basket case on Thursday, the night before her birthday.  There I was sitting at my computer sobbing looking at pictures from the past year as I typed my letter to Alice.  It wasn't that I was sad that she is growing up.  Not at all.  In fact, I love that she is leaving that baby stage behind!  Of course the first birthday is a milestone for the baby but I think it's an even bigger milestone for the mom.  The day our daughter was born was the day my life changed forever and, I'll be perfectly honest, a few of those tears were me mourning my pre-baby, all-that-time-to-myself life just a little.  The other tears fell as I relived every minute of March 22nd, 2012 like it was yesterday.  What I ate.  What I wore.  The nervousness I felt as I realized today was the day.  The gut-wrenching fear as they wheeled me to the OR for an emergency c-section.  As the hours went by a year later I felt as if I was reliving that day over as I watched the clock tick towards 8:03PM, the very minute our daughter let out her first (of many!) high-pitched squeals.   

I can't believe how much I've learned over the past year about love, selflessness, and patience (as you know patience has never been one of my virtues).  And I imagine this won't be the last milestone in Alice's life that brings me to tears.

And now a quick recap of Alice's first birthday party playdate!  In keeping with our wedding and baby shower tradition of no gifts, we requested that everyone come gift-less to the party.  Lee made cupcakes the night before while I made tiny party flags and Alice's name banner out of washi tape.  We hung the bird bunting that I bought before Alice was born (and have never hung up!), blew up a few balloons and then, the next morning, we were ready to greet our birthday girl.  Of course she had no idea this day was all about her but she could definitely sense that something special was happening.  Alice's six little friends enjoyed snacks, the Baby Einstein station on Pandora, and a glass of wine or two (just the mommas, of course).  And I only got a little teary-eyed as we sang Happy Birthday! to our big one-year old.

The party went off almost without a hitch.  About an hour before the babies arrived I was blowing up a few balloons and must've stretched one to its limit because all of a sudden.... POP!  It blew up in my face and one of the balloon pieces smacked me right in the eye.  So not only did I have puffy eyes from my night of crying but I also had a very painful and very watery eye to greet our guests with!  So hot.    

       Mmmm. Cupcake! // Family photo with my balloon-injured eye.

Weekend workouts: Saturday - 5.3 mile family run.  Alice, Momma, & Daddy.  Sunday - 32.4 mile bike ride.  My first of the season!  And after a spring tune-up, she rides like a dream.  Oh, how I've missed my Cervelo.

2 comments:

  1. Looks like everyone had a great time at Alices' 1st birthday. Did she get to enjoy her presents. I love the cute bubble bee scooter. Great birthday picture of you, Alice and Hubby.

    Remember to enjoy each moment. You only have one 1st birthday. Sorry about your eye. Hope you feel better soon. xoxo

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  2. I love your party set-up, it looks great. I totally get the reliving of the events of only a year ago! I cried too thinking about all that went on when Lulu was born. It's just so emotional & at the time you dont process it all because there is a cute, new baby to think about. The first birthday just brings it all back, like you said, like it was yesterday. Congrats to you, excellent mama, on making it through the first year of motherhood x

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