13-10-2009 - Eve of Isabella's 1st birthday

My mood while writing this blog: Sentimental

One year ago, on the eve of Isabella's birth, I sat in her bedroom looking at her crib and trying to imagine my baby sleeping in there. I gazed through her closet at all the little dresses, I folded very neatly all her sleepers she would be wearing and I smoothed out her blankets waiting to keep her warm. I remember spending that day in total bliss, knowing I had come to the end of my pregnancy with my baby girl. Tomorrow, I would meet her.

October 14, 2008 - the most significant day of my life - above all else. The day my beautiful Isabella Katerina arrived in this world. I tried so many times to envision who she would look like, what color her eyes would be, would she have hair, how she would sound and most of all - how she would smell and feel in my arms. She arrived screaming and she settled down when the nurses gave her to me while my episiotimy was being stitched up. I couldn't wait to get to my room so that I could have her near me again. How I missed her in those 3 hours waiting in recovery. I felt so alone all of a sudden - my little girl was no longer in my tummy - she was out. But she wasn't with me! My husband and I were so grateful that she arrived so healthy and beautiful. He was speechless - he was in love. I remember him thanking me so many times for our beautiful daughter.

We spent the last 12 months getting to know each other. Adjusting to breastfeeding, sleepless nights, bouts of colic, teething, vaccinations, smiling, cooing, rolling over, sitting up, bumps and bruises, tears, pouting, frustrations, babbling, laughing, crawling, standing, cruising...and it was the most incredible 12 months of my life. So far anyway!

Now here I am, once again on the eve of October 14th, this time looking at my Isabella and finding myself not just amazed with how much she has grown in the last year, but sentimental that my baby girl is no longer a baby - she is a toddler now.

Tomorrow, October 14th, is my baby girl's 1st birthday.

Isabella, I love you more today then I did yesterday. You are the light in my life, the music in my ears and the sun that melts my heart. I wish you a very Happy Birthday and look forward to many more years of watching and helping you to grow up. You will always be my little girl. I love you baby girl!

Love always,
Mummy
xox