sarah & chet

It has taken me several days to sit at my computer to write this blog post. Sigh. I cannot believe our precious baby is one years old. We have had a week of celebrating our littlest. Sadly we found out she is fighting a double ear infection, but she has still been FULL of joy these last couple of weeks, despite some rough nights and fevers.

I knew I wanted to blog for my daughters to look back on one day, so they could get a glimpse into their babyhood and lives, know my heart, and they too could read the ups and downs of parenting from me. It has been much more difficult to blog with two kiddos, than just one, but I am glad to say we made it a year. Blogging was a way for me to journal my grief with Holden, then journal my joy with the girls. That being said, this will be my last blog. It is so very bittersweet.

We took Rose to the doctor on Monday, and learned that she is 19 pounds. Her well-check and stats visit was postponed to the middle of January, since she was so icky. She is on antibiotics and ear drops for her ear infections, yet still SMILING away!

At 1 Year, You Are:

Standing alone
Walking with furniture
Saying, "Dada", "Momma", "Bobba" (bottle), "Hi", "Bye" and singing so sweetly!
Strong-willed and let us know when you want and DON'T want something ;)
Wearing 12-18 month clothes
Wearing size 5 diapers
Weigh 19 lbs. (other official stats coming soon)
Loving baby dolls (you got an American Girl Bitty Baby for Christmas)
Mimicking anything Grey does
Climbing stairs
Giving our hearts unlimited JOY

Erwin breakfast tradition! I always make the girls pancakes in the number they are turning. :) She loved her berries and pancakes!

On Saturday we celebrated Rose's birthday with friends and family. Tisha, Charys, Scott, Kayson, Cohen, Leigh Ann, Randy, Tye, Alisha and Holland were able to make it. Such a sweet day centered around our Rose! Thanks Tisha for capturing these moments:

our little berry-lover had berry cups for her bday!

best petit fours from Stein's!

Rose was just not loving her cake this year. ;) We had to place raspberries by it for her to be more interested. Sweet girl was dealing with a fever and ear infections though, so she may have liked it more if she was feeling better.

Rose Catherine,

Sweetheart. My bits. I look back at this year with you and I am absolutely left wordless. You have changed my life, my heart, and my everything. You are someone I cannot imagine life without. I am incredibly grateful for the JOY you bring to our home. Your wit, smiles - and even your strong will - are so perfect. You were certainly born in my heart, such a special place to be born from. You truly are our grace upon grace. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

I love you more than I will ever be able to say.

I look forward to watching you grow each and every day, changing the world.

Thank you for being my littlest love.

Love you always and forever,

Momma