Sunday 26 July 2015

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY, EMMA ROSE!

Ok, ok.  This post is about a week late.  But hear me out:  this is the last monthly post.  I know.  It's a bit devastating. For me as my baby is growing up, but for you as your monthly Emma bites are done!  Fear not!  I'm going to write more (I promise!!) about what we are up to as a family.  B is rocking and rolling at work, I'm getting ready to start work (after a year long maternity leave....) and Emma is turning into a cheeky, fantastic little toddler.   Stay tuned - the best is yet to come. 


How Old:   ONE YEAR!!!!!
Weight:  23pounds 12 ounces (and off the chart for height! 2 ft. 8 in!)
Likes:  Walking, dogs, splashing in the bath, corn on the cob and reading books.
Dislikes: Being unable to explore, strawberries and blueberries, having her diaper changed and getting dressed!
Eating:   I feel as though we eat the same things day in and day out - but she LIKES what we give her....so.....is that a bad thing?  Breakfast is always quinoa with cooked apples and cinnamon or mushed banana.  Sometimes we throw some watermelon in there too!  Lunch and Dinner are usually exactly the same:  Meat (beef, lamb or chicken), sweetcorn, peas, green beans, broccoli - usually discarded on the side are beans and cauliflower.  We are trialling root vegetables and carrot did not go down well.  Sweet potato is currently under way and I feel a bit more positive about it!
Sleeping:  We are still going strong from 7 pm - 6:30 am!  I'm so pleased by this.  Hopefully she keeps up the good work when we move into our new house!
Routine:  I think she is starting to drop that morning nap.  I can't actually figure out what she wants as far as naps are concerned.  She has breakfast first thing in the morning - a nap at some point?  Recently she has skipped the morning nap but been grumpy!  I feel like it's cruel to leave her in the crib while she rolls around, but I am always wary of taking her out prematurely!  She has a mid morning bottle and then lunch at 12:30.  She has an afternoon bottle still, dinner at 5:30 and then bath at 6:30 followed by bed!
Sizes:  We are still in  9/12 month onesies.  As it has been so hot, she has been living in onesies and sandals.  She is in size 12 trousers and going on size 18.  The PJs for 18 months are really tight around her poor head - so I'm not sure what size she would wear for sleeping in!
Milestones: Emma has 7 teeth now! She is babbling away (plenty of reduplicated monosyllables) and can crawl after everything and anything.  She has an amazing pincer grip - she is especially good at getting those baby proofing socket protectors out of the electrical sockets.  She pulls up and cruises on furniture.  She tries to say "yes", "dog" and "duck", can find mummy's nose, sneezes (or rather - blows raspberries) when you say "bless you" and can even point to her own toes!  High fives and waving are given when she feels like it - and if you are REALLY lucky you may get a kiss. 
Mum's favorite moment:  I can't peg any single moment this month, but there is a new attachment Emma has to reading and it melts my heart.  She loves flip books - especially "Where's Kitty" but I got her an adorable fine art inspired book about King Henry's treasures.  She loves a cuddle while reading - probably on the the reasons why I love reading to her!
Dad's favorite moment:  Saturday morning breakfast!  I have been granted a lie in on Saturday mornings while B gets up with Emma and goes out for breakfast.  He gets her a fruit bowl and something full of meat and egg for himself and Skypes Grandma and Grandad UK!  It's the best thing in the world for all three of us!


I cannot actually believe it's been one year.


Emma has grown and changed so much.  We, as parents, have grown and changed even more.  One year ago if you would have asked me if I was cut out to be a mum I would have told you no. I'm no mother.  Well, I think the proof is in the pudding.  I am blessed with one pretty fantastic little girl.  She's healthy.  She's happy.  I think we have done ok.



It's been a year of highs and lows.  There are a few things I would have done differently, but on the whole, I think we made the best choices for Emma throughout her one year with us.  




I have to talk for a minute about the photos as they are amazing.  If you are in the Cleveland area (sorry, UK friends and family!), Brittany Gidley Photography is a miracle worker behind a lens.  She was wonderful with Emma and the photos are just stunning.  She told us that we needed more wall space - I can't help but agree.  


Like I said earlier, things are manic at the moment.  We have a lot going on and I promise to write about it as soon as things settle down a little bit!  I have so much to share and I can't wait to share everything with you!


Thank you so much for reading.  Thank you for a year of support, kind words, friendly smiles and faithful reading.  I'm so honored that so many people read this blog and have watched Emma grow up this year.
 
Bring on life with a ONE YEAR OLD!


Xx

Friday 17 July 2015

Dear Baby - it's your Birthday Eve!

Dear Baby,

Tonight when I put you down for bed, you awoke five minutes later and cried.  You never wake up and cry.  I went back into your room and gave you the last of your milk.   You then reached up and rested your head on my shoulder.  You haven't rested your head on my shoulder since you were a tiny baby.  I held you and we rocked.  Your room was quiet and cool. You were warm.  I could feel your heart beating as you stroked the back of my arm.  After a few minutes, I lay you back down to bed and said goodnight.

This - on the eve of your first birthday.

One year is an awful long time.  Why is it then, that this first year of your life felt like a minute?  I remember certain hours would drag by - some of them were terribly difficult.  Others seem to last mere seconds.  Exactly this time, 365 days ago, I was desperate to meet you.  Not because of the pain or the pressure - but because it had been me and you for nine months.  Nine whole months.  I wanted it to be me and you - the real you.

You were suddenly there and everything in this world suddenly changed.  You were so tiny and now you are so, so big.  You were strong willed and resilient then and you still are today.  Sometimes I wonder what life was like before you - was it easier?  More relaxing?  Maybe.  But it was incomplete.   I wouldn't want my life to be any different than how it is today.

When you go to bed each night I miss you terribly.  I often watch the monitor, studying the outline of your feet or watch for your chest to rise and fall.  You are perfect - and I didn't think it was possible for a human being to be perfect.  Your heart, soul and very being are just perfect.  I wouldn't change a hair on your head - nothing would make you any more beautiful or more fantastic. Never forget that.

I wish I wrote more letters to you, but I am spending most of time being with you rather than thinking about you.  I am lucky as I have had the chance to spend nearly all of this first year with you.  It really has been me and you - day in and day out.  I wouldn't want it any other way.

I know sometimes it looks like I have no idea what I'm doing.  I'm sure I frustrate you because I'm not getting things right - but I promise - I am trying.  I want more than anything to be a good mama.  Trust me - when I put my mind to something, I end up putting my whole self into it.  Being your mother is my greatest role in life.  I hope I manage to make half the impact on you as you have made on me.

One year ago I became a different person.  I have you to thank for that.  Thank you for the lessons on how to live and how to love.  Thank you for the kisses and the trust you put in me.  Thank you for the laughter and tears.  But most importantly, thank you for the love - I see it every time you smile at me.

I love you, Emma Rose Berry.  More than you will ever know.

Happy Birthday, my sweet.

Love,
Me xxx