A Year (almost) in Review...

In anticipation of Zanna's first birthday, I am reflecting upon the moments that we've shared over this past year (minus 6 days). It's been a whirlwind; it's been phenomenal, and as people say, it's truly hard to remember life "b.c." (before child).... Here are some of my favorite moments from this past year (pictures will come later!)

*Holding her for the very first time and watching her stick her little tongue out at me
*Watching Cam become a daddy, holding his sweet angel in his arms, smiling from ear to ear
*The torturous first car-seat ride home from the hospital (thank God that got better!)
*Our grand welcome by family upon our arrival home from the hospital
*Super Cousins and the purple tutu
*the precious 8 weeks of maternity leave and gracious visits and help from family and close friends (I don't remember much of that time, just being tired and happy .... :))
*Starbucks... ah, Starbucks.
*The first glass of wine post-baby
*when she began to sing along anytime Daddy would sing "oh Suzanna"
*that very first smile (and every one after that!)
*the day Daddy made her laugh while tickling her :)
*our very first plane ride to visit family and friends in Dallas
*meeting Eric, Gracie and Josephine (Zanna's baby friends!)
*multi-tasking at work, Zanna in tow
* the Sip and See at church with all of her congregation loving on her
*The Whole Allen family coming for Easter to our house (even Grammy and Poppy!)
*her baptism on August 16 by SamPa (Pastor Sam)
*the first word (dada)
*The other words (hi, mama, cat (still the fave!))
*Vacation at Amelia Island with the Ukropinas: babies down by the beach... too fun.
*The obsession with QUACKing!! :)
*that first successful crawl....and the huge grin that came with it
*the chicken costume at Wurst Fest for baby's first Chicken Dance!
*silly moments of clapping and laughing together
*folding her hands to pray, over and over again
*when she got the baby signs and felt like she had so much power cuz she could name things in her environment and tell us, often adamantly, what she wanted :)
*messy messy highchairs
*the first bite of ice cream (she's a mama's girl, loved it!)
*family times at the park
*Christmas with all the Demarests and most of the Allens
*cuddle time when she's sick
*first steps
*poking noses
*Ghost-cows (they say "Booooooo.....")
*Zanna kisses
and lots lots more....
Zanna, God has blessed your mommy and daddy, and so many others, by your presence. We love you and you are incredibly special to us. You make us smile every day and we thank God for you.
Happy (almost) birthday, sweetpea!!
-MOM