I cannot believe I am writing this post. It is crazy to think 365 days ago, my little Quinnie came into this world. GF, took her sweet sweet time, but after 25 hours of labor, she decided to make her appearance. It's mind blowing. Quinn is a year old!


Lately, I've ben doing a lot of thinking about the last year. I've looked at all her pictures and I've watched all the videos. I've thought about the hard moments, like when she wouldn't stop crying and we didn't know how to soothe her. I've thought about the quiet moments where it was just her and me. I've thought about the memories we made, the pictures we've taken, the trips we've shared. Truth be told I have cried thinking about how big she is, about these memories.

But a few days ago I had a mind adjustment. Yes, it's hard to believe that Quinn is a year old, but I am so blessed that she is one year old. The alternative would be that she's not here. That we wouldn't be celebrating this sweet baby we prayed for forever. But we are here, Quinn is here and that fact is not lost on me. So yes, I'm emotional about her getting older, but I am so glad I get to celebrate her first birthday.

While I've been thinking about this last year, I've been thinking about how it's changed me, changed Adam and changed us. I always knew I wanted to be a parent. But honestly, I didn't think I'd love it as much as I do. Hear me out. I thought I'd love being a parent, but I thought it would be one more thing I'd add to the list of things I do, not become the main, best, all consuming, life altering thing. And, it totally has. Being Quinn's mom has changed my life in so many ways. Not only did I survive this last year as a mom, I thrived, I found my greatest purpose in life and I truly believe being her mom has made me a better person, friend, wife, and human.

She's given me the greatest joy I've ever experienced. She's shown me new ways to love myself, Adam, and the people around me. She's taught me that life is so much more special than I treated it before hand. That life is so much more precious. Time is invaluable, and love and family are the only things that really matters.

My prayer for my sweet quinnie, is that she always loves life as much as she does today. I hope she always makes that scrunchie face when she's happy. I hope she always loves baths, always belly laughs when mom tickles her, plays the "AH!" game with dad forever, and that she never stops smiling with her entire face.

Quinn Grace, you’re my greatest joy.

Likes:

• Being mobile. Gf doesn't wanna be held, or locked down. She wants to be everywhere.
• Lola and Henry
• Her sippy cup full of whole milk. 
• Her swing.
• Walks. We go on a long walk every day and it's her favorite time of day.
• Clapping and yelling yayyyyy! 
• The bath. If we let her, she would stay in the bath forever.

Dislikes

• Eggs
• Hamburger
• Red sauce on pasta 

Firsts:

• Molars. Guys, one year molars are miserable.  

Current Routine & Sleep: 

• 7am: Up!
• 715am: Breakfast
• 8am: Play
• 9am: Nap
• 11am: Snack! 
• 12pm: Lunch and play!
• 2pm: Nap
• 3pm: Big snack  
• 5pm: Mini-nap
• 6pm: Dinner
• 7pm: Bath and bed

Things to Remember:

• Her sweet giggle. It's honestly an intoxicating noise. 
• The way she explores and finds new things. She is so aware. She is always looking around, she is curious. 
• She is so joyful and happy. She exudes peace. 
• Her sweet little blonde curls.
• When we pick her up from daycare and how excited she is to see me. 
• When she is very hungry and shoves food in her mouth with both hands.
• The way she scrunches her face and sniffs when she is being naughty.
• The way she shakes her head no when you say no to her.