Sunday, July 6, 2008

12 Months!

Jade,
You are 12 months old today! I am going to keep saying "months" because it just makes me feel better. Saying that you are ONE year old makes the tears start to flow.

In honor of you being 12 months old today, and the fact that your mom is super emotional on this occasion, I'm going to share with you 12 things I've learned by being your mom over this past year.

1. I've learned that God may answer mommy's prayers just in the nick of time. We prayed that you would come on your own before my scheduled induction. My water broke just 6 hours before I was supposed to be at the hospital.

2. I learned that spinal taps and 3 day old babies are not meant to go together. Mommy watching spinal tap on 3 day old baby? Ditto.

3. I've realized that lots of tests, IV antibiotics and a brief stay at the children's hospital...over a hunch that the doctor had that turned out to be wrong...can be the source of mommy guilt for a long time.

4. I figured out that between mastitis, low milk supply, your huge appetite and my impatience...nursing/pumping didn't last as long as I had hoped for you. And that's okay.

5. I've learned that chubby babies may not be very mobile babies, but they sure are more popular at the grocery store.

6. I've learned that it is possible to love two children...even equally. I wasn't sure about that July, 5th of 2007 when I walked out of big sister's room at bedtime, eyes full of tears, and a heavy heart about how different her life would look the very next day.

7. I'm still learning that it is impossible to do everything for you that I did for Lily. It was pointed out to me that I was trying to raise each of you as only children. Pouring out all of me to each of you nearly drove me insane. I'm getting better at figuring out how to be a good mommy to both of you simultaneously.

8. I've figured out that when you wake a little too early in the morning, and I'm a little disgruntled in my morning stupor, that it only takes one look into those baby blues for me to get my priorities straight.

9. I've realized that even though your baby book is bare and all of your milestones are at this point recorded on random sticky notes (if at all), it doesn't mean I love you one bit less than Lily. Never mind that I pretty much recorded every breath she took for the first year.

10. I've learned that for some babies...ahem, you...that the answer to "are you hungry?"...is always YES.

11. I've realized that God might have granted you nearly 25lbs of chub for a good reason. You've got a 33 lb older sister to stand up to on a regular basis.

12. I'm mostly thankful that all of your chub somehow got you nicknamed Jader-Tater...and that nickname was all I needed for the theme of your first birthday party.

The first crew of many has already arrived for the big event. Some from E. Texas and others from Georgia are pictured here:


I've got lots of preparations to make, but before I go, someone just popped out of my fridge to say a quick hello:

More from Mrs. Potato Head and the gang coming soon.

15 comments:

The Sullivan Sitcom said...

Happy 1st birthday Jade!

LOVE the Mr. Potato Head cake! You did an awesome job!

Have fun today!

Colored With Memories said...

OMG...I couldn't have done that in 15 tries...Delicious Cakes pulled that one off for me!

Devra and Aviva said...

We hope you've allowed yourself absolution in the Mommy Guilt department. Instead of spiking your guilt-o-meter(which as you point out happens fast and furious sometimes), cut yourself some slack, please take comfort in babies don't conciously process that kind of experience, so while you remember the spinal tap as a traumatic event, Jade won't. Since it's been a year, why not celebrate your own accomplishment, 12 months of being a fabulous mom! Congratulations to both of you!

Melissa :) said...

awwwwww Happy Birthday little one! Bittersweet...

We live in Keller so we aren't that far from you. Small world, heh? :)

Rachelle said...

Happy Birthday Jade! =) Rachelle

Christina said...

happy birthday jade!

Alana said...

Happy birthday to your little one! That cake is priceless!

Jackie said...

Happy 1st Birthday, sweet Jade! :)

life with the wisners said...

so the cake is, of course, perfect. but this takes it?

"I've learned that chubby babies may not be very mobile babies, but they sure are more popular at the grocery store."

my thoughts exactly. thank you for putting it into words so perfectly.

happy birthday, little punkin.

R said...

girl, my FIRST child has almost nothing recorded in the way of milestones, much less my second. talk about guilt! :0)

Marci @Finding Joy in the Journey said...

I think birthdays are a big bundle of happy and sad for us mamas1 I hope you guys had a great day! I loved your lessons learned! And I totally agree with the chunky baby theory. I know Finn needs the extra padding to keep up with Dax! I also am totally with you on how amazing it is that God gives us just the perfect amount of love to spread around!

Jamie said...

What a precious post! Happy birthday to your little one. The cake is so cute...can't wait to see more party pics.

Unknown said...

That is too sweet-happy birthday to your cutie!

Mamajil said...

I enjoyed your post!! I arrived on your blog from Jackie@our moments our memories.

I thought I would mention that although you "poured" yourself into your first child in one manner, your first child never had the love and attention your 2nd child is getting from a sibling.

The first child only has Mommy and Daddy oooing and aaahing over them...

Child #2 has Mommy, Daddy, and Sister....oooing and aaaahing.....

btw the mr potatoe head cake was so cute!!!

Brandy said...

I really enjoyed your post. I just wanted to wish your little one a happy belated birthday since she was born on my birthday. July 6th is a wonderful day! :)

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