51 weeks means we're just one week away from somebody's birthday!!! Whoop whoop!

It means that exactly this time last year, we were waiting... and waiting... and w-a-i-t-i-n-g for our "stubborn" and "rebellious" child to COME ON OUT ALREADY! My due date came and went (and went, and went...), and I was convinced I'd be the first woman in the history of the world to be pregnant FOREVER.

This time last year, we were caught between excitement & terror. Anticipation & frustration. Wanting to hurry up and get this show on the road. Wanting to press pause because we knew, on the other side, life would never be the same.

I sobbed and sobbed, big uncontrollable tears. Would I love this person inside of me? Would I enjoy being a mom? Would I make it through labor?! Were we even ready??

This time last year, my phone was blowing up with texts-- from well-meaning friends, I'm sure-- but sometimes I just wanted to chuck it against a wall. Don't you think I'd tell you if there was news?!?!?

11 long days. I was so over this whole pregnancy thing.

And then she came.

The sweetest gift snuggled up in my arms. And instantly, just like I knew it would be, the joy overwhelmed all those fears and I wondered, "What in the world was I so afraid of???"



51 weeks later... we have a babbling, beautiful, and yes, sometimes stubborn & rebellious baby girl. Apple doesn't fall far from the tree, I suppose. ;) We never could have dreamed the JOY should would bring us, and we cannot imagine life without our Janie Bear.

TWJ 50 - Jane Goes to Colorado!

We just returned from a family trip to Colorado to visit Jane's Uncle Brian. The viking hat was a gift from him, naturally. I mean, every baby needs a viking hat, right?! ;) (In Brian's defense, it happened to be "Ullr Fest" while we were there, so Jane fit right in.)

We spent two days in Breckenridge, skiing and eating pizza and passing out at 7:30 pm. Turns out skiing is exhausting! (So is taking care of a screaming baby, by the way, who despite our continual efforts does not seem to enjoy traveling as much as her parents...) ;)

Thanks for hosting such a fun time, Brian! We miss you here in Birmingham, but we sure don't mind visiting any cool travel nurse destination of your choosing. I hear they have openings in Hawaii... ;)

TWJ 49 - Gonna Miss This

Time for some honesty, folks. It's been a challenging week with Jane. She's been exceptionally fussy, won't take good naps, wakes up crying during the night, and insists on being held.

By me.

All. The. Time.

The other night she woke up screaming, and as soon as I picked her up, she stopped. Put her back down-- mad as a hornet. Picked her up-- silence. I don't remember how many times this repeated that night or how long she cried in between, but eventually, feeling frustrated and slightly manipulated, I rocked her until she fell asleep in my arms.

And as she slept there like a rag-doll, breathing deep baby breaths and nuzzled up against my chest, the frustration faded and I realized that these nights are numbered, that she will not always fit in my arms or on my lap, and that someday I'm gonna miss this.

When I'm in the kitchen trying to cook dinner or wash dishes, and there is someone pulling on my pants and crawling up between my legs, I tell myself that someday I'm gonna miss that my sweet baby girl just wants to be with me.

When I'm trying to go to the bathroom, for goodness' sake, and even then she is climbing up my legs, trying to stick her hand in the toilet, I tell myself that one day, I'm gonna remember these moments with fondness and miss even this.

When I drop her at the YMCA childcare or church nursery and get called back because she's screaming again, I realize how special it is that I am her mama, the one who makes everything right again, and that there will be a day when she doesn't need me anymore. Or worse yet, when simply holding her won't be enough to fix what's wrong. I'm gonna miss this.

Thank you for needing, wanting, and loving me so well, Janie Bear. I love you to pieces.

TWJ - 11 months

It's 2016 and we have an 11-month old!?! Where has this year gone?! Once again, the sticker was a complete FAIL.

Okay, time for some photo catch-up. We had a GREAT time with family over the holidays. It was really special to spend Jane's first Christmas with both sets of grandparents and also to have some extended time with the Lehmans here in Birmingham. Jane, you are surrounded by people who love you dearly, and you are so, so blessed.

We loved having all the Lehmans in Birmingham!

Jane's showing off her sparkly pants for NYE. If only we could all have such confidence.

This might be my favorite picture of all. Jane and cousin Bennett. I'd love to see this same shot recreated in 70 years. :)

Happy 2016!