My darling Sweetiepeas

Today is my baby girl's first birthday.
These past twelve months have moved quickly past.
One year ago I was in a hospital room with a new squishy pink baby sleeping soundly outside of my body for the first time.
Nine months ago sleeping in a carrier that baby accompanied us to the closing of our house.
Six months ago that little cherub starting crawling on the wood floors of our new home.
Three months ago she proved herself a Mommy's girl by crying out to me with her arms stretched wide looking to be held.
Right now she is sleeping in her crib a full fledged one year old.
Happy, stubborn, persistent, playful... all words that describe our Sweetiepeas. I've happily come to understand and see in her all of these things (and more). It's strange to think back, laying in that hospital bed starting at her ten tiny fingers and her cute little nose all of this was just around the corner already starting to blossom. I'm excited for the upcoming year -and beyond- I'm looking forward to seeing our sweet little girl come into her own, to watch her change, grow and become more of who she is.
Happy birthday Sweetiepeas, I love you with all of my heart.

New life

Hope, like the gleaming taper's light,
Adorns and cheers our way;
And still, as darker grows the night,
Emits a brighter ray.
Oliver Goldsmith
British-Irish author (1730 - 1774)

I don't believe I'd posted at the beginning of the year when my sister-in-law, Mopsy, was expecting. The excitement, the anticipation of a new teeny person. I love being an aunt, next to being a mommy it's possibly my favorite thing to be. I was ecstatic. I love my Mopsy and the brother who brought her into the family. I'm sure I've mentioned what wonderful people they are, how kind, patient, and generous. When the baby was no longer headed to this earth they were not alone in their sadness. Grief, questions... even anger encircled the whole family.

Now that life has sparked anew, to them I send my sincerest congratulations, my greatest amounts of hope, and love from the bottom of my heart. To God I send my prayers and a plea to guide this little peanut of a soul, and watch over the family who's care it's in.

Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday.

John Wayne
US movie actor & director (1907 - 1979)

A project completed

Woo hoo! I am proud to say that the marathon paint project has finally come to an end. The kitchen/nook/playroom transformation that began last August was completed yesterday. I have to say it's taking us a bit to get used to seeing color on the walls. For such a long time we stared at a work in progress.
I definitely would have scoffed at the idea of it taking nearly a year to finish, but at least now I'm free to start other long awaited projects(like finally getting our windows dressed)! This house is feeling more and more like our home!