ONE!!!!

I can't believe that it was a year ago today in cold and snowy Pittsburgh, our lives changed forever. I can't believe that a year ago today we calmly walked into Ohio Valley General Hospital to be induced, only to find that I was eight cm dialated and in active labor but didn't know it (apparently I'm tougher than I thought). I can't believe that a year ago today, after nearly three hours of pushing, we heard that spirited cry as Abby joined our family. I can't believe that a year ago today, I began my breastfeeding struggle, but overcame it and now I'm finally almost done being a cow. Most of all, I can't believe that a year ago today, God blessed us with the love of our lives - the most perfect, healthy little girl and has given us the gift of this wonderful year to get to know her.

I CAN'T BELIEVE MY BABY IS ONE-YEAR-OLD!

The past year, I was blessed to be able to stay home with our little bundle of joy. And while most of this year can be described as an emotional roller coaster as I made my first fumbling attempts at motherhood and moved across the country, I was so glad to have the chance to really get to know my precious little girl. These are some things that I've learned about Abby Elizabeth:

1. She LOVES to eat. Whether it's her mommy milk (I was her human pacifier in the beginning because she was ALWAYS wanting to nurse) or it's the solid food during mealtime and snacks (she is a human garbage disposal), the girl is an eater!
   
2. She is very cautious, yet she LOVES to be thrown around by mommy or daddy.
   
3. She loves the Stanley Steamer, Empire, and Jitterbug commercials, or anything with an annoying little jingle. Probably proof that her mommy watches way too much tv.
   
4. She loves to chase the vaccum, yet is terrified of bubbles. She is afraid of big furry penguins, yet loves sub-zero temperatures and snow. She loves her bath, yet screams at the sight of the baby pool. Yes, she is an enigma.
   
5. Given the opportunity, she will eat trash, poop, or anything else that will freak her mother out. And she probably does it JUST to freak her mother out.
   
6. She is a talker. She loves to sit there and make noise...ALL THE TIME. It's cute now, but I have a feeling I may want to invest in some earplugs when she begins her toddler "but..why?" phase.


7. She loves to brush her teeth. We can't even go near the bathroom without her trying to dive out of my arms pointing at her toothbrush. She would brush 20 times a day if I'd let her.
   
8. She loves her dollies and stuffed animals and loves to give them kisses (well, really she loves to bite them). She just may be like her mommy and play with stuffed animals until she's 13.
   
9. She is not a great sleeper, and my guess is that she will never be a great sleeper. I've almost given up trying to get her to nap for any length of time. She must just love her mommy's company so much that she can't stand to be away from her. At least that's what I tell myself to make myself feel better.


10. She is a wonderful, unique little girl, and I know God has great plans for her. I see so much strength and vivacity in her, she is meant to do great things. I am so proud to be her mommy and can't wait to see the wonderful things she will accomplish. She has blessed us more than she can ever know.

That was then...

Abbyat birth: 7lbs 13 oz, 20 inches long

This is now...

Abby at one-year-old: 19 lbs 8 oz, 30 inches long