Happy Birthday Harliegh!

Sniff, sniff...well, it's official, Harliegh is a year old! I wonder if it's normal for a mom to wake up and realize suddenly that her baby is not so much a baby any more. It happened for me this morning. I heard Harliegh talking to herself in her crib and went in to get her. When she saw me she smiled and then scrambled to get her teddy bear(which I let her keep in her crib) so that she could take her bear out of the crib with her, for some reason, this did it for me. I suddenly realized, my baby is a toddler now. She can entertain herself, she shows preference and chooses certain toys to play with, she knows how to answer yes or no. It really is amazing, I put her to bed last night thinking "she is still my little baby" and woke up knowing that she is headed into toddler-hood and this will bring a whole new year of changes! She will start talking more and more (right now she only says a few words randomly) Her personality will show more and more everyday. She will test her limits ( and mine, hahaha). She will stop using her bottle (hopefully sooner rather than later, she only uses it to fall asleep so any suggestions on taking that away will be greatly appreciated) she might even start potty training!
Her birthday party went great for the most part! She got lots of fun presents and really enjoyed opening them for the most part. She had help fom her friend, Finn, who is 8 months older than she is, and she didn't really welcome the help at all. A few times I was scared whe was going to start fighting him! She has always been Little Miss Independent, and Finn really didn't mean any harm! She did get very fussy about cake time. I think it was because she was overwhelmed, and everyone was staring at her, Tyler thinks it may have been teething (maybe a little of both?) After everyone started eating their cake she seemed to calm a little and started eating. Though she didn't shove it in like is typical for first birthdays! After everyone had left Harliegh was in a fantastic mood and enjoyed playing with all her new things. So far her favorite toy is a piggy bank, given to her by Tyler's cousin, CJ. We have it on the coffee table and everytime she passes it she stops to give it a kiss. Her least favorite toy had to be the big one from Tyler and me. She LOVES Elmo, so we bought her a Tickle me Elmo....and she HATES it....we turn it on and for some rreason it scared her and she starts crying! Oh well....maybe in a few months she will like him better....or not...to tell the truth it is kinda frightening to see a furry red monster fall to the fall in hysterics!
Yesterday was also Tyler's birthday, which unfortunately was a bit overshadowed by Harliegh's birthday. I made him cupcakes and we ordered pizza (his choice) and today he is going fishing with my brother, so hopefully that will make up for it.
On other news, I am OFICIALLY enrolled in college for the fall! I have completed all the paperwork and my schedule and start on September 11th. I will be taking Religion and P.E. (yikes!) every other weekend, and a Realism to Romanticism Literature class every Friday night, which I am really excited for. Tyler is also considering starting school in the spring.


So here are a few pictures from Harliegh's Birthday. We got her a beautiful cake for free! Lund's (the grocery store near us) gives away free cakes for first Birthdays, I love a great deal!

A year of changes!

It's hard to believe that it is almost that time! Yep, my little one will be a year old and will soon be more of a toddler than a baby. I look at this with pride and a little sadness. When I was pregnant and had envisioned being a mommy to a baby girl, I did not realize how fast it would go! This year has been full of surprises and ups and downs! In this incredible year not only has Harliegh changed from a tiny baby who only slept and ate to a energetic little girl who is very independent and full of attitude and personality, but I have grown and learned so much, too. Here is what I have learned so far in Mommy 101:

I learned early on that even if it doesn't seem like it, Harliegh HAS to sleep eventually! It was better to think about that than to dwell on the fact that she wasn't sleeping.

I have learned that sometimes, it's ok to skip my shower. Before I had Harliegh I took a shower as soon as I woke up, now....I am getting used to only getting a shower in every other day. Usually when I have free-time I will decide its more advantageous to take a nap or get some cleaning done rather than shower...you get used to the smell after awhile..hahaha.

I have learned that time is precious. I only have a few hours to myself everyday and sometimes I am in near panic trying to decide how best to spend them. Before I took for granted how precious alone time can be! Oh what I would do to be able to sit on the beach or by a pool for hours and not have to chase around a busy baby! Oh what I would give to curl up and read a book for hours and not think of anything else! But at the same time...I wouldn't trade this for a thing!

I have learned that more often than not, my motherly-instinct is correct. It doesn't matter how much I read or ask advice, my instinct usually was right to begin with.

I have learned that there are so many opinions on everything baby-related. The best thing to do is decide what is best for YOU and your baby.

I have learned not to be so caught up in body image. Things change when you have a baby, that's just the way it goes, and you just don't have time to fix your hair, do your make-up or pick a perfect outfit like you used to. I see my beauty in the eyes of my baby, and that is the most amazing feeling ever. (though this doens't mean I couldn't use some pampering every once in awhile)

I have learned that having a good, helpful husband can make all the difference. If I ever needed a break, Tyler was right there ready and willing to take over all baby duties.

I have learned that every little milestone should be celebrated. I never knew I would get so excited over a baby rolling over or growing a new tooth.

Speaking of teeth....I have learned that almost all baby problems can somehow stem back to teething. Drooling, biting, crying, yelling, screaming, earaches, diarrhea,headaches (for the parents) somehow are all because of one little tooth.

I have learned that patience is the key to everything! It is very hard to remember this sometimes.

I have learned that it is not possible to keep the house clean at all times. It just can't happen.

Most of all I have learned that being a mom is the most wonderful and difficult thing I have ever done, but I wouldn't change a thing. Life changes when you become a parent. Not just your schedule, or the amount of sleep you get, or how many showers you get, but everything. I have different viewpoints on everything now. All because of one little girl.