You are not alone in this

The title of this post is a lyric from "Timshel" by Mumford and Sons. Here is a link to the song. It won't let me add it to my playlist, but you should listen to it. It has spoken to me today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kl-VCHzS1So

After a good lunch and fun play date with the cousins, we got some pretty devastating news. My sister in law lost her baby. She was about 13 weeks along. We rushed over to keep the boys and love on them while they were at the hospital. My heart just breaks. We have all gotten used to the idea of another little one running around...they weren't going to find out the sex but we were all sure it was going to be a girl. Last night and today we have held Addie closer than ever. I can't imagine moving forward but you do. Somehow you do. We all do.

God's plan is not always easy but we have to remember it's His plan. Here are some pictures and videos of all of us yesterday.

Henry pounding his pizza

Say cheeseAre we done yet?

Ok, no more

The boys being silly

All 3 running/crawling around

Giggling boys

Addie's birthday

Addie's first birthday has come and gone. I was a little bit sad Friday because she was asleep when I left for school. All day long I was getting texts wishing her a happy birthday and I had not even gotten to tell her myself. It seems like the whole day went on that way. I rushed home and she was napping. I had to go to the store before Alec's basketball game so I woke her up and rushed around, went the game, ate dinner...rush, rush rush! When we finally got home around 8:45, Andrew and I sang "Happy Birthday" to her and enjoyed her for a little while before bed.

Although none of Andrew's family was able to come to her party, we had a good time with my family. It was small, laid back and perfect.

Now we are left with a one year old! The next year brings a whole new learning experience for both of us.

Birthday party morning... this is what she looked like when she woke up.

Aunt Kris and I helped open all of her presents first.

Patiently waiting

Birthday hat (courtesy of Etsy)

Not quite sure what to do

Not a fan of cake

Starting to get into it

Smearing it all over

Mom, Granny (mom's mom), Nannie (dad's mom), Addie and I

Family pic

After her birthday party, we went to watch Alec beat Prep for the Division I Championship. She cheered the entire game! Yay, Uncle Al!

12 days to go

My baby will be one in 12 days!!

She is pulling up completely on everything, everywhere. Her latest thing is trying to stand up in the middle of the floor without holding onto anything. I must admit, it's entertaining because she sticks her booty in the air and presses her hands and feet on the floor. Pushing the walker is also one of her favorite things to do.

You can barely see this picture but it's of Andrew and Addie cuddling in our bed. She has only slept in the bed with us twice but it is so fun to wake up to Addie giving me kisses! (I am aware that we should not have started this...ha!)

Showing off all 8 of her teeth

Playing hide and seek through her sippy cup

Living the life

She still LOVES her bottle. I guess that's the next thing to go :(

Typical that she doesn't want Charlie to have HER toy

Standing up to get the remote

Pushing her walker

The next post will probably be her little birthday party!

Perspective

This time last year I was starting to pack for the trip to the hospital, type an "it's time" email and wrap my head around becoming a parent. As I watch everyone preparing for the same adventure, I just get so excited for them. There are no words to describe the feeling that you get when the nurses place your child in your arms for the first time. It's just a feeling that no one can prepare you for. No matter how many times you have run it through your mind...it's different than you could ever imagine. I remember it vividly.

I cannot believe that Addie will be one in 16 days! It has been an exciting journey.

I have gotten very comfortable with one child. It's not that I only want one child. We have both come to the realization as to how lucky we are to be able to drop her off with my parents, take her to a basketball game, go to dinner, etc. It's easy with one child. Throw another one in the mix and it complicates things. I'm just nowhere near ready for that. It may take a couple (to a few) years to prepare for that. Instead of worrying about "what's next" we are going to enjoy the present. Who knows what the future holds.

Here is a funny video of our two girls:

First Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. There is definitely nothing that we are wanting for! I can't even begin to tell you all the things that we got. Most of all, we enjoyed spending time together and with family! Sadly, I only have a few pictures.

The carseat was an early Christmas present

Headrest holder for our ipad

Addie's "princess" cozy coupe

Loving it!

Her riding buddy for the bike trailer (haven't gotten a picture of that yet)

Opening a present on Christmas eve

Not sure what to play with...

Hard to follow but you can tell she loves it!

Oh what fun...

I have to share this. Sean (my brother) and some of his friends were playing around the other day and Sean made this shot on his 10th try!

Addie was captivated by the mariachi band at Papitos tonight!

I have enjoyed my first week off. To prevent going insane, I have been constantly doing things...cleaning, wrapping, shopping, organizing, playing with Addie. We are really looking forward to Santa coming to visit for her 1st Christmas!

Tis the season

Christmas break officially begins tomorrow...woo hoo! Addie has become so active that it's hard to snap pictures of her. I have a couple that I will share though. My mission is to get a good picture of her with Carla (aka her favorite person).

Addie literally has 6 teeth that are either breaking through or just broke through. It just hurts my heart! She has woken up crying at least once every couple of nights. I CANNOT believe my little girl is almost one!

What can I say about this picture other than I just love her?

Right before she burst into tears with the "Ole Miss" Santa.

Thanks to KJ, we were able to take a Christmas card picture. Even though Addie was making a silly face, it worked.

Here is a picture with her early Christmas present! (A big girl car seat!)

Addie's first christmas tree!