01/13/2023
A year ago at this very moment, I was checking into the hospital for my induction. I was feeling a myriad of emotions… excitement being the strongest. Many of you probably remember we kept Charlotte’s gender a secret from everyone… including ourselves.
After a relatively quick labor and delivery (thank you Jesus), Daniel finally got to share the news we had been waiting on for months. IT’S A GIRL! He made me wait the longest three seconds of my life to know because he was awestruck. She was here.
It’s so funny to me that prior to pregnancy, I wanted a boy first. However, all I wanted was a girl whenever I knew we were having a baby. Of course, I would have been thrilled with either because I just wanted to be a mom.
These past 12 months have been the happiest, most trying days of my life. Countless nights of not sleeping with all of us crying… going to work exhausted because she’s teething and experiencing sleep regression… the mom guilt I constantly feel because I have to go to work. Motherhood is hard, dude. But it’s also beautiful. Her laugh is my favorite sound on earth. Her little dimples in her smile are forever engraved in my heart. The nonsensical rambling she sputters when she is excited is the soundtrack of our day. The dance parties we have as we get ready or prepare food have become my cardio.
I love watching her grow into the tiny person she is becoming. She’s already so determined and brave. She is kind and already knows (and enjoys) how to share. Seeing her grow is so bittersweet,
All of this is to say Happy FIRST Birthday Charlotte Elizabeth. We love you so much!!!