Happy Birthday

Katherine, you are one year old… Happy Birthday!!

So many people who see you tell me they can’t believe a year has passed already since you were born. But to me this past year didn’t feel like it went too fast – we have spent so many amazing moments together and it felt like a year well lived.

Your birthday has been a special day – daddy and I decided to make it all about you. We spend the whole day playing together and had lots of fun. Knowing that you don’t like big crowds of people, we opted for skipping the idea of a big birthday party and had a small celebration with just the three of us in our living room (yes, on the floor – where better to have cake and presents… and a big balloon too). You got your first taste of cake (I made you a cherry cake with cherries picked in the summer from our backyard) – yum!

You are teaching me to enjoy the moments, the days, weeks and months. I feel privileged to have been part of your first year, every day has been a gift. This journey we are on together is nothing short of amazing and I can’t wait to see what the next year brings. I love you always and forever.

Happy New Year

Katherine, it’s a new year – welcome to 2012!

Your first New Year’s eve was calm, relaxed and perfect all in one. We stayed home, had a great dinner and lots of cuddles and playtime.

Every day is special for you and brings with it new experiences and new skills. You are growing by leaps and bounds. No, really, I mean it literally… just this morning when I wanted to dress you I had to put 3 shirts aside that didn’t fit you anymore and I have to admit the pants you were wearing all day were a little on the short side (didn’t the pant legs still reach down to the socks the other day??)

With your physical growth comes more strength and balance as well. You have figured out how to stand up from sitting by pulling yourself up on furniture and you are cruising around the living room with your snazzy walker.

You are teaching me that a New Year’s celebration at midnight isn’t complete without including you. As responsible parents we didn’t want to wake you at that time of night (ok, and we didn’t want to think about how difficult it would be to get you back to sleep if we would), but when your daddy and I wished each other a happy new year with a glass of champagne at midnight, we looked at each other and agreed that you were missing from our celebration. So we tip-toed into your room, kissed you gently and had a silent moment together welcoming the new year and all it will bring.

Happy New Year baby girl, may 2012 be a year filled with joy, happiness and health.

Christmas 2011

Katherine, you have experienced your first Christmas… the lights, the sounds and the experiences.

They say baby’s first Christmas is more about the parents than the child – and that held so true especially before Christmas. We went to see Santa (luckily he was stopping by the mall, so we didn’t need to travel all the way up to the North Pole); you were rather not impressed by me wanting a picture taken of you on Santa’s lap. Fair enough; we compromised on me holding you while sitting beside Santa.

We had a low-key celebration on Christmas Eve, just daddy, you and me… our little family and it was perfect. Lots of giggles and cuddles, playtime with new toys and a beautiful walk with all three of us on Christmas day.

You are teaching me that Christmas is as special as any other day when we make it so. This Christmas wasn’t about the presents, but about being present in every moment… that was the true gift of Christmas.

Merry Christmas baby girl!