1 Year

Kate is 1 year old!

I would now like to congratulate myself. I can't keep a plant alive for more than a week. But I can keep a kid alive for a whole year. Win!

I don't even know what to write. I am overcome with emotion right now. That is probably because we just got back from Kate's 1 year doctor's appointment. The appointment went fine. Going to the lab to get her blood drawn did not. It is seriously heart-wrenching to listen to your child scream "all done!!" while the phlebotomist struggles to keep her foot from dripping blood all over the floor. Yeah, cue mom emotions.

The last year has been amazing. Incredible. Heart-wrenching. Joyful. Tearful. Messy. Filled with laughter. With smiles. With giggles and chuckles. Exhausting. Exciting. Anxious. A little fearful. Very prayerful.

And I am so grateful for every moment of every day. Every diaper change. Every nursing session. Every time she wouldn't fall asleep. Every time she would. Every snuggle. Every smile. Every tear. Every milestone. Every. Single. Thing.

I have been reflecting a lot on the meaning of birthdays. More than anything, I am grateful that Kate had the opportunity to come to Earth. To receive a body.

Kate, I need you to know how amazing that is. You made a decision before you were ever born into this world. You chose to follow the plan of your Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. You chose the plan of happiness. You chose the plan of salvation. Remember that.

 

 

I'll end the post with this picture. It shows how big you have become, but how little you still are. It reminds me that no matter how big you get, you will always be my Baby Kate. And I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to be your mommy.