We're headed to Mt Desert Island, home of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, for vacation. This is our first true family vacation (i think that's true...) and we're going with some good friends and their cute 15 month old. I am really looking forward to hiking, swimming, shopping, eating and relaxing. I'm hoping to take in some sunrises and sunsets, quiet evenings with puzzles and wine and lots of fun time with my two favorite people.

Have you ever been to this part of Maine? I never have so I'd love to hear your suggestions!

images: 1 2 3 4

Wordless Wednesday: A Year in Pictures

June


July


August


September


October


November


Decemeber


January


February


March


April


May


June


the progression and change is mind blowing. as is the fact that she has been in the world for a whole year.

happy 1st birthday, sweet girl.

Dear Meredith,
Today you are one year old. I cannot wrap my mind around this fact. In a way, it feels like only yesterday. But then, when I really think about it, already in twelve months, we've been through quite a lot and everyday has held something new.



I used to wonder when you were a newborn if I wound recognize you out of a line-up of babies. I don't wonder that anymore because I have memorized everything about you. Your short second toe with the third one a tiny but longer. Your perfectly shaped blue eyes with flecks of green and brown. Your thin hair that is light brown some days and, I swear, blonde on others. Your sweet, round button nose and your perfectly plump little lips. Your long, lean body with the only chub on your thighs and knee caps. The one lone freckle on your inner left leg. Your lower back with smooth skin accented by scratch marks because you can't control the urge to itch. Your cheeks which call out to be pinched and kissed and pinched and kissed. Little baby, I knew you when were inside me but I know you even more now.

 

I know that blowing raspberries is one of your favorite things. I know that you would eat anything and everything until your insides burst. I know that you have serious moments of taking it all in and you have excited, incredibly social moments. You brighten people's day with your smiles and waving hello. You love to dig through kitchen cabinets and use things like magazine baskets and toy buckets to help you walk. You love being in the water- splashing it, kicking in it and drinking it, suds and all. You love to read and do so happily on your own throughout the day. Your laugh is my favorite sound in the world. You have a fake laugh for when you hear me and daddy laughing and you have a really belly laugh that is mostly used on daddy's silliness.

You are smart. You are an avid observer of the world around you. You love to talk whether it be babble or words. So far you say mama, dada, open, up, all done and bye bye. You know how to sign more, all done and milk. You aren't walking yet, but you are certainly trying to figure it out. Standing on your own still makes you nervous and you really only do it when you don't realize you are. You still just have two bottom teeth which is so cute. People call them your rabbit teeth, which is very accurate.




Meredith, you are the most amazing little person. There has not yet been a day that I haven't thanked God for blessing my life with you. You have made every day, even the hard, sleepless ones, so special. You have given my life greater meaning. You have opened my heart to bigger love. You have made me a mommy, the role I was meant to be in. You have made your daddy and me more complete.




Happy, happy, happy birthday my sweet one.
Momma

her first birthday party.

Yesterday we had Meredith's first birthday party. It was a lot of work, but worth every minute of stress and worry. We had such an amazing day surrounded by the people we love and the people who have supported us through this life changing year. Meredith thoroughly enjoyed being the center of attention and seemed to be destined to wear a crown. The weather was perfect. The food was delicious. The conversation was uplifting. I ended the day exhausted but so encouraged. Enjoy the (many!) pictures :)

the set-up

 

confused by the singing of happy birthday to you

a little skeptical of the cake situation

she figured it out :)

 

the cake for everyone else

my dear friend and her week old daughter!

 

sweet little friends. hugs & reading.

presents!

yay!

to mom. to seester.

Happy Birthday, Mom. You are a beautiful woman.  Thank you for always being a phone call away, for listening to my rambles, offering your advice and being there for me. You are the reason I feel proud to be a stay-at-home mom. You always made us feel important, loved and supported. Enjoy your day!

Happy Birthday, Lyd. I am so proud of who you've become and feel so grateful to be your sister. You are a friend that is easy to be with- whether it's on the phone, shopping, watching TV or taking a walk. There is never pressure to be anything I'm not. You are the most accepting, loving, forgiving person I know. I hope your little look-alike, Meredith, gets not only your looks but those qualities, too.

A Year Ago: Silhouette

A year ago, less than 72 hours before our baby entered the world, we went on a walk. The sun was setting, I was swelling and we were both so excited. We were at that point when baby could come at any point and I knew in my heart it wouldn't be much longer. I cherish these photos.

to joe.

To my sweet brother, Happy Birthday. You make me laugh like no one else. You say what everyone is thinking. You wear your heart on your sleeve, in a good way. You are going to do big things.

for the weekend.

I've never done a linky post for a Friday before and there's no guarantee that I'll ever do one again. I've seen a few things around the interwebz lately that I really wanted to share, so here goes:

I love this post from Mandy about motherhood.

If I weren't on a diet, I would be baking these as we speak.  Thought let's be honest, with a first birthday party coming up this weekend, I will hardly be dieting, so maybe I should just take the plunge and try 'em?

Oh, I'd love to be eating this whole thing by myself, too. 

Can you believe this picture of Oprah? I've always found her to be attractive, but I've never found her to be so stunning!

How jealous am I of Nina right now? Yes, I'm headed in her general direction for vacation soon, but it's like her life is vacation. For the record, I know it's not, but those pictures are heavenly.

This post from Arielle has left me thinking for a couple of weeks now. I really agree with her, but then again, I'm obsessed. See next link.

A sneak peek at Meredith's birthday party inspiration.

I will leave you with this video. My hope is that you can be as happy as this little chicken over the weekend. Oh! And check back tomorrow for my favorite pregnant photos, one year later :)

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