Nearly 1 year ago.

I don't know that I'll have much time in the upcoming days, and I wanted to say a few things about this time of the year.

In 6 days, my beautiful daughter will be 1 year old. In 13 days, I'll celebrate my 30th birthday. Wow, how time flies right? What a year this has been. I have learned so much about myself, my marriage and my family in this last year. Would you like to know a few things I've learned? Here they are... where to start right?

• Washcloths make great burp rags, and later double as actual wash clothes for dirty faces and hands.
  
• Baby wipes can be used for many things, butts, hands, faces, tables, shirts, carpets.... use your imagination!
  
• I actually get more scared/worried when Hannah is quiet than when she is crying... as in, what is she up to?
  
• I now understand why mom's sneak into the bathroom for a moment of peace... even if you don't need to use the restroom, just sitting in there, quietly... ahhh.
  
• Get a stroller that can go anywhere- ours has gone through mud, sand, water, gravel, snow, one of the best gifts ever given.
  
• Diapers as a birthday gift is actually fabulous! I will forever buy a package of diapers for friends and family to go w/ a gift, because they are so appreciated.
  
• My purse is not really mine... when I'm w/ Hannah, I don't even use a purse, I throw in my wallet, phone and keys into her bag. Or, I throw in diapers, wipes and a bottle into my purse- again not mine, hers.
  
• I don't order food from a restaurant b/c I want it... but b/c it's something that I can share w/ Hannah.
  
• I've never been one to ask for help... I learned this year that is something I can do. Just ask my mom... I called her in the morning one day, after Hannah had been up all night vomitting, and Jason had the stomach flu, I was exhausted, and couldn't think straight. I just needed someone that could watch Hannah so I could nap. My mom was awesome, she came down, watched Hannah for about 2 1/2 hours or so... she ended up getting sick too. *Sorry mom*
  
• Other people want to give advice and do... I've learned to take what I can use and leave the rest. I don't fight it anymore.
  
• My house will be cluttered w/ child stuff, dirty from little hands, mouths, feet... but FULL of love.
  
• It is okay for a child to cry sometimes. Sometimes they just need to cry it out, they need to learn that Mommy will come back, that being in the play pen while a parent makes dinner doesn't mean that we don't love her, that she can't always have everything she wants (electrical plugs are not to be played with)... I do let her cry sometimes. I still love her, I always will.
  
• That being a working mom, doesn't make me less of a parent. In fact this is the best for us that I work. It means that when I'm home I get QUALITY time with her not quantity.
  
• That I am a great parent. I may do things differently than others, I may have my own thoughts about being a mom, but regardless I have Hannah's best interest at heart and I love her dearly.
  
• Overall this last year has been a great experience. I hope this next one will be too. I never knew how much you could love a child. I can't even begin to describe how much I love her. I think that other parents would be able to understand what I mean...
  So on Saturday we will celebrate Hannah's first birthday with family and friends. She has begun to cut 2 bottom teeth just in time for this occasion! She is even nearly walking, she takes 4-5 steps at a time, but usually when we prompt her. But either way she's growing into a toddler, a little girl... not a baby anymore, though she will always be my baby girl.
  J.