twelve months

this little girl does NOT like bows in her hair :)

Sweet Everdeen, twelve months have flown by in the blink of an eye.  You are blossoming into a little toddler before us!  Your favorite word to say is "daddy" and you say it over and over like a broken record all day long...sometimes in what even sounds like a British accent :) You love to give kisses, wave bye-bye, and smoother the cats with affection.   We are constantly chasing you around and sometimes when you're feeling brave you'll stand on your own for a few seconds! The other day we watched you take a few steps by yourself from the chair to the couch, but we cheered so loudly we startled you and down you went! 

You amaze me everyday and I can't wait to see what these next twelve months bring! 

Everdeen Turns One {A Little Video}

Happy Birthday Little One! 

Video Inspiration Here 

To My Sweet Girl On Her First Birthday

My Dearest Everdeen,

Today you turn a year old. I know it sounds cliche, but where has the time gone? I've been remembering back to your birthday and what an incredible, life changing, day that was.  I became a mother that day...we became our little family of three.  We had waited for you for so long and you were finally in our arms...calm, pink, and as beautiful as can be. 

I can't begin to tell you all of the things I have learned this year.  I know I am a better person because you are here with me and I try each day to be the best mama I can be...although you make it pretty easy!  I would move mountains for you little one and I hope each second of the day you can feel our love for you.

I was trying to picture life before you burst upon us with your little cry and I simply cannot. It's like we've always known you...like you were always a part of me in some form.  This past year I have looked into your amazingly blue eyes and exclaimed that, "You're ours!" "You're really really ours!"  Sometimes I still have to pinch myself. 

You have blessed our lives in unimaginable ways.  I truly have never felt love like this and I think sometimes it overwhelms me how much I love you. 

Now that you are one, you are beginning to resemble a little lady.  Full of personality, wonderment, and sweet kisses.  I am so excited for this next year and all of the amazing adventures we will have together.  

Sweet Everdeen, your daddy and I love you to the moon and back!  Happy Birthday!

Love,

Mama

{29/52}

"a portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Everdeen Kate: STAIRS! They are your new favorite thing to climb! I think you feel like a big girl as you lead us up the stairs looking behind you to make sure we're still coming with you. You're almost as fast as the cats going up...I'm sure someday you'll race them to the top :)

   

 Linking up with Jodi :)

Sweet Summer Time {in pictures}

Summer Rain

Today, we finally felt relief from the scorching summer sun.

We've been sprawled out for days so that nothing but the bare minimum touches our sticky skin.  The fans are humming all day long, Everdeen toddles around in just her diaper, and we watch hopefully each afternoon as the skies turn gray and thunder rumbles in the distance.

As the first rain drops fell this afternoon, I grabbed Everdeen and we rushed outside.  I love the smell of rain...it calms me and reminds me that everything is being cleansed and cooled, even if just for a few moments. We sat on our front stoop and laughed and explored.  Everdeen needed the fresh air today.  It's been a long couple of days with a sick little girl who needs her mama every minute of the day. The unpacking will just have to wait.

We've been so busy these past two weeks.  Closing on our first home(!), moving our entire lives an hour north, and trying to unpack and organize with an almost one year old and two rowdy cats :)  But we wouldn't change it for anything.  We are finally home again and are loving even the littlest things...like sitting on our front stoop to watch the rain :)

{28/52}

"a portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Everdeen Kate: You are loving the big windows in our new house to peek out from. Instead of noisy traffic, sirens, and people shouting into their cell phones down the sidewalk you can now hear sweet summer birds happily chirping :)

   

 Linking up with Jodi :)

{27/52}

"a portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Everdeen Kate: A five minute walk from our new home and we find ourselves in the prairie nestled up against the foothills...I think you're going to be so happy here!

   

 Linking up with Jodi :)