One Year

Summer was busy.......in fact I am writing this and not exactly sure where the time went...I enjoyed all of my days spent with 2 beautiful little girls, treasuring the extra time we had together while I was on maternity leave.

Fast forward to September and I have a one year old!  Abigail fits so well into our family it seems hard to believe that she was only born a year ago.  This little girl is determined to grow up fast.  She is very fair, with reddish/blonde hair, blue eyes and the sweetest smile your heart melts.  She beams with love looking at me, dad, her sister and of course Jasper.  She started walking 2 weeks ago and is stubborn.....if you comment or try to take pictures she promptly sits down and starts doing her "frog" crawl.

We started her birthday celebrations with one year pictures.  We use an amazing photographer that despite Abigail not giving away her smiles we were able to get some great shots.  A friend made a smash cake for her to smash - however instead of smashing the cake she daintily licked the icing and took small bites while looking at me with a very serious expression.  (Note - the exact opposite of her sister who beat the cake to pieces)

Next was a birthday celebration!  We had a friend birthday party on the Saturday with a ladybug theme.  We ordered a cake, Janessa and I made cupcakes and a friend of mine made amazing ladybug and flower cake pops.  We served lunch of hot dogs, veggies, fruit, some dips, licorice and spent a few hours outside on bouncy castles and playing in the yard.  The day was perfect.

The next day we had a family party in Portage.  Unfortunately the weather was cooler, but we braved the wind and partied outside.  Enjoying fruit, veggies, and hot dogs.  This theme was owls!  Again we ordered a cake and served cupcakes and ice cream!

On her actual birthday we enjoyed the day at home!   Went out for breakfast, spent time at the park, enjoyed a nap and then went off to the local circus......this circus didn't have fancy animals, or lots of clowns, but it had dogs, horse rides, color and music.  All things that make both my girls happy!  We came home enjoyed some treats, opened more presents and called it good.

The next day was my first actual return to work from maternity leave.....the day was rough.  There were many tears...lots of emotion from all 3 of us.  The first week (four days) was rough and in fact I ended up staying home on Thursday......I couldn't do it.  It was also needle day so I though it best to keep Abigail home and have extra cuddles.

This week......my second week into work.......still very emotional.   Janessa is having a hard time adjusting, she misses those extra days of mommy time, she is mad because she wants to be in school and doesn't understand that she is not old enough (she is a brilliant, beautiful girl who wants to be at school).  Abigail caught the first cold of many......oh the life of day care so she is snotty, coughing, tired, and just run down.  I am exhausted.  I have a hard time being "on" .  James is away this week...so lucky him he's not here for all the meltdowns.  I'm sure in time it will get easier........