A TRUE Celebration

We've made it!

I can't believe that we all survived...and are thriving.

We had our doubts...concerns...and worries...but we must have done something right because...

Little Miss Baleigh

 turned
1

And that, my friend, calls for a TRUE celebration!

I am so proud of this little girl and thankful.  She has given us a new perspective on life.  We now have NO IDEA what we did before she came along.  It's been awesome.  

I have been going through all of the pictures from this last year and it's so hard to believe how fast time goes by.  I was always excited for the "next new thing" with Baleigh, but lately I have really challenged myself to enjoy and savor "this moment."  I can't tell you how much that has changed me.  I'm still excited for what's to come, but enjoying the here and now is so rewarding. 

Seeing the transformations that Baleigh has made over this last year makes me want to really push down on the brakes and slow things DOWN!

I remember holding her in my arms for the first time.

Seeing her Daddy give her the first kiss.

The first big diaper blow out!

That first smile.

Noises.

The giggles.

I loved (and still do) watching her personality blossom.

I'm ok that she took a little more time to do some things like...

rolling over (6 months)

crawling (10 months)

that first little pearly white pop through (11.5 months)

I was able to keep that "little baby" part a little longer. 

 To help keep these things close to our hearts [or should I say forgetful brains] our family started a Memory Jar.  Every time something happens that we want to remember, no matter how big or small we write it down on a piece of paper, fold it, and put it in a jar that we have placed on a stand.  There are so many fun little things that have gone in there.  I'm excited to read them together this christmas and savor the memories. 

I don't want to be the type to be living for tomorrow...I want to live in this day!

Kaleb and I went out to take some pictures of Baleigh for her 1 year photos. Here are a few samples.  My photo editor kind of stunk out on me so excuse the un-edited pics. 



This one is for you Mom!



Just because