To my Charlotte Jane
I regret not doing this sooner. Its hard to remember just
how little and precious you were at age 1, but as I look back at pictures I am
flooded with the memories that you have created in my mind and in our lives.
You gave us a good run for our money your first year. We spent a lot of time
together since Daddy was traveling to Boston every week to give us a better
life. Some days were easy and some days were hard, but you always managed to
smile or giggle and make me feel like I wasn't alone at home. Your life is
pretty simple yet you have so many people that love you very much. I will try
to recap your first year in 3 month sections because so much changes in this
small amount of time. Just remember we love you and will always cherish the
memories that you have given us.
Months 0-3:
You came into the world with a bang. You challenged me the
entire time I was on maternity leave. I took 12 weeks off with you to learn how
to be a mommy while you grew to be a great little baby. You didn't sleep well,
but were an eating champion. You loved to eat and weren't afraid to hurry up
and get it done so you could go back to playing. You didn't let a single thing
go past you. Every noise, motion, sight was caught in your big blue eyes. We
spent time in the summer swimming (it was a really hot summer so sometimes
hard), taking walks, spending time at the park and exploring our new
neighborhood. We started to make friends with the neighbors and you seemed to
charm everyone you met. You took your first trip to Lake Wawasee for a quick
weekend getaway. You had great behavior and were very good the majority of the
time. A little too small to enjoy it but it was nice for mom and dad to get
away with you. You made your first trip to see the Reds play and were a hit
with all of daddy’s co-workers that were there. All in all we had a great time
learning each other and learning our new lives together.
Months 3-6:
You continued to develop your little personality. Mommy went
back to work and hated every minute away from you, however you were in the
great hands of Jessica a wonderful nanny who loved you and took wonderful care
of you. You would go over in the mornings to the Flamm’s to spend time with
Lainey and Jessica and mom or dad would pick you up on the way home. You
learned to sit up, belly laugh, started to talk and babble even more, had your
own form of dancing and never really got into crawling. We celebrated Daddy’s
40th birthday and Mommy’s 30th birthday with a big party
and you would just not go to sleep. You stayed right up with all the adults and
had a great time. We visited the pumpkin patch for your first pumpkin and you
dazzled us all in your adorable spider Halloween costume. We made a lot of
trips to the farm and you grew to love the outdoors. You took a liking to hats
after fascination with papaw’s hats and daddy’s hats. We continued to watch you
grow both in personality and in body and even got your first two teeth.
I could go on and on about these first 6 months but I will
split them up to show you some pictures. Thank you for teaching me how to be a
better person, to give more of myself and challenge me every day.
