365 Days

It's been 365 days since I took this photo.

I remember it so well! I had been through 28 hours of labor (read that story here!), and an exciting and quick delivery. The nurse, who is also a good friend, had settled Danica and I into our private room. Daniel had left to go help my mom, who had locked her keys in her truck accidentally during her night at our house watching the other three girls.

It was about 9:30 in the morning, and the night before had brought buckets of snow, so when I looked out my hospital window, all I saw was peaceful white. There weren't even any vehicles driving, because until the plows made it to a street, you pretty much needed a 4x4 to be able to drive.

The light coming through the window was bright and crisp, and Danica looked so adorable as she slept away the intense labor and birth she had just endured.

I remember just staring at her. I had no visitors right away, it was just me and my brand new baby. I loved everything about her! Her tiny bow shaped lips, her chin dimple, and her double chin :)

Danica brought so much joy with her into this world!

My wish for Danica's first year is that I would enjoy as many moments as possible with her. I knew it could be difficult to spend every moment with her because we have three other girls that need my attention as well.

I think we did pretty good though :)

Daniel was away from home about 80% of the time when Danica was a newborn, so it was just the girls and I. I included the girls in caring for the baby as much as I could. They loved helping change diapers, or snuggling her on the couch for me.

Whenever I sat down to nurse Danica, Myka would cuddle up beside us, poke my breast and say "baby juice?" over and over again.

I started "wearing" her in a baby wrap often, so I could enjoy snuggling her even while I was doing mundane chores, like folding laundry. She loved when I vacuumed while she was in it :)

Danica made up for not seeing her daddy much by quickly becoming a daddy's girls when he did come home. She could be whining and fussy all day for me, but as soon as she sees her daddy, her eyes light up, and she just wants to cuddle and play with him!

She is a sweetheart. Smiling, practicing walking, giggling at the girls, then stopping for a quick snuggle as soon as she sees a blanket on the floor or couch.

Next to snuggling, her favourite place is the highchair...where the food is :) On any given day, she'll eat a bigger bowlful of food than her 2 year old sister, with lots of snacks in between.

My heart has been so overflowing with joy this year. We are beyond blessed with our four amazing daughters, and their very different personalities :)

Happy First Birthday Danica!