Reflections

As I near Olivia's first birthday, I think it is natural that I have been doing a lot of reflecting. This time last year, I was spending my last day or so without a baby in my arms. It is hard to describe in words how much life can change in a moment.

I remember this time last year being over a week past my due date. I was sure my baby was never coming! I made plans to go shopping Black Friday, thinking maybe the madness would make me go into labor. Little did I know, the best gift I would ever received would arrive on Black Friday! No shopping necessary.

This has been a year of change and growth, blessing and trial, as I suppose most years are. Becoming a mom has certainly slowed down the pace of my life in so many ways. We aren't as busy outside of our home as we used to be. But in other ways, the pace of life seems to be in fast forward. Watching a baby grow is so amazing.

One of my major goals is to simply enjoy each moment with Olivia. Each stage is different and unique and wonderful. That is the beauty of being a parent. The littlest things become the most interesting. An empty diaper box provides hours of fun and the best giggles. Learning to eat a banana and smear it all over your hair becomes the best game of all.

So life is a little stickier, a little slower, a lot funnier and so much more interesting than I ever imaged. Thank you Olivia for making me a Mama.