Reflection-Oct. 6th 2009

Lexie is one years old today- officially in four minutes- 6:03. I don’t think parents look forward to getting old, let alone having their children get old, but it happens. Lexie is cuter today than she was a year ago. I remember when I first saw her. I didn’t even know what to do. I know what I should do- hold her, but my hands were frozen and my eyes staring at the child two people in love had created. I couldn’t believe my body made something so perfect. I knew my body was capable of making a baby- I had the belly bump to prove it! But, the fact that she was in my arms, living, breathing, ten fingers, ten toes, and squeaking on my chest... simply amazing.

Although Lexie and I were “womb-mates” for 9 months, actually seeing her, feeling and seeing her on the outside, was simply amazing! As a newborn she was a sleeping, eating, burping and pooping champ- a seriously good baby. And since I’m a bit biased- I think she came out cute and continued to beautify these last 12 months. :D

Reflecting on Lexie’s first year isn’t hard, since it’s still fresh in the mind. I remember functioning and limited amounts of sleep, wanting to pass out often and then the baby waking me up in the middle of the night. I remember eating breakfast a week after Lexie was born with Shane and seeing the bags under his eyes, I probably sported the same ones. I remember smiling- “We’re total idiots for thinking this would be easy! This parenting thing is hard!”

I mentioned before- Lexie was a fantastic baby- which she was, it’s just Shane and I had never been parents and the lack of sleep, dancing to someone else’s drum was a bit tough. However, it was during Lexie’s 2 month photo shoot with Kim that I sighed thinking, “I think I’m getting the hang of this.” So for future reference, after the first 8 weeks it gets easier and they smile back at you. The wonderful moment in a parents life is when that baby intentionally smiles at you because they know who you are.

And then there comes the laughing. Oh man! Is there anything more contagious than a babies laugh? Shane makes me laugh often because he’s such a great guy, but when he has me and Lexie rolling, now that’s a real party! The sitting up, the crawling, standing up, cheesy smiles, peach or /avocado/beans/ squash- whatever food facials and walking. All these milestones are apart of life I like to call an adventure. Soon, Lexie will be standing on her own and then walking on her own. She’s already a champ climbing up and down the stairs- she’s such a busy body. And amidst all of the tough times (playing the “why are you crabby game?”colds, teething- to name a few) there are those moments where your baby, where my Lexie gives back in a wave, or blowing kisses, getting exciting and jabbering away in nonsense syllables, or just laughing when I do something stupid.

It is wonderful to be a parent, a little intimidating to be responsible for this one soul, but that’s why you are not alone. There’s your spouse, family, extended family and then there’s Heavenly Father, the best Father to ask for advice. Shane and I have truly been blessed this year.

This blog post of Lexie’s birth celebration cannot end without a few notes of gratitude:

Shane’s family and my family: THANK YOU! Your love for us and our Lexie, advice, babysitting, clothes, and spoiling our little girl. All the above has made this a wonderful year.

Love my mommy who was there for Lexie's first week of life. She was my life saver!

What would I do without these people? Seriously? Stuart and Shane are the only ones that can put Lexie to sleep on their lap while rocking out to rock band! he he

And to my Lexie- Thank you for being such a wonderful baby and letting me sleep in past nine almost every day! Saintly daughter! We “hit a home run” with you being our first kiddy. You make wanting another child easy to think about. (Key word is think! .. .. in due time!)

Lastly to my Shane:

Shane,you have been an excellent partner in caring for our little girl. The way you read books to our little girl is simply put- entertaining. Thank you for caring for us by going to school and getting good grades so we can move on from this phase in our life. And by going to a crappy houred job. This too shall pass! For showing me our lives don’t have to end when we have a child, that we can still make goals and accomplish lots. You’ve held my hand and believed in me when I struggled. I love you more today then I did a year ago. You are a wonderful, wonderful father, spouse and my best friend. I love you baby.