Catching up on the News

I cannot believe my last blog post was over a month ago!  I have no idea where the time has gone, but in one week Miss Everly will turn one. I can still remember driving to the hospital and being in labor like it was yesterday. I will never forget the feeling that I had when I saw her for the first time and when I held her in my arms. I never really understood what people meant when they said that the love a parent feels for a child is unlike any other until I saw Everly for the first time. My love for her is almost indescribable. It is overwhelming and sometimes it actually hurts. There are times when my heart feels like it is swelling inside my chest. It just feels full and warm. I hate to be all "Jerry McGuire" here, but she really does complete me.

This morning I was watching a news story about Jessica Simpson and her struggle with weight loss after the birth of her baby girl a few months ago and out of nowhere tears started streaming down my face. I remember feeling EXACTLY how she feels about the post-baby weight and struggling to find my new identify as a mom, wife, and individual. Thankfully, almost a year into motherhood, I finally feel like I am finding a balance between all 3 of these roles. I am also proud to report that I weigh less now than when I got pregnant! All those early, long, and hard mornings at Stroller Strides have really paid off!

One thing I know for sure is that the last year has been a whirlwind of change, excitement, stress, tears, anxiety, hope, joy, and overwhelming love all rolled into one incredible adventure. And guess what??? I wouldn't change any of it for the world. As a matter of fact, I know that Everly has taken me to a new place in my journey here on Earth. I said a few months back that I thought she was going to be my greatest teacher in this life, and as I write this post today I have never been more certain of anything. She makes me want to be a better mother, wife, friend, daughter, and person. I have spent the last year examining and analyzing every decision and choice I have made to try and "figure it all out". What I have learned is that you are never going to get it right all the time. It is actually ok to make mistakes and it is impossible to be everything to everyone all the time. I have realized that as long as the love I have for myself, my husband, my child (and Bama too of course) are nurtured, honored, and respected we can get through anything.

Bring it on year #2!

On a side note: since this blog has been my "online" baby book for Everly I am making it a goal to try and post more pictures and short entries on a regular basis so she will have something to look back on when she is older. Since the title of this post was "Catching Up on the News" I thought it would be appropriate to post this picture of Everly and her Daddy perusing the Sunday ads in the newspaper.

This baby girl of ours loves to read! The photos below were taken at Barnes and Noble a few weeks ago. She could look at books for hours!!! :)