Tuesday, December 22, 2009

2009: Our First Year as Parents (Part 1)

Whew! What a year 2009 has been. We had a bit of a rough end to 2008 with Wren being born prematurely, but even that went as well as possible. I wanted to take the time to sit down and document this year for us so that someday Wren can look back and see what a special time of life it was for us all.

The Beginning:
Sean and I have discussed this many times. How crazy it was, and how very easily life can change in the blink of an eye. We are both convinced that had we lived in another time or even another part of the world I would not have the blessing to sit here and write this all out. The miracle of modern medicine is the single reason I am alive, and no matter how hard I fought I could not have won on my own. This is definitely a major reason in why we are fairly certain that Wren will be our one and only baby (yet another reason to document as much of this time as possible!).

4 days old:
Who knew that 4 lbs, 9oz could change so much, huh? These photos were taken exactly 1 year ago, on my 25th birthday. Wren was definitely one of those "be careful what you wish for" birthday presents! She couldn't even really cry at this point but life was a-changing.





5 Days Old:
Already, Dad was wrapped around her frighteningly small finger. And surprisingly she actually had more hair than she does today!

1 Week Old:
Our first milestone! That felt like both the longest week of my life, and the craziest. Days blur into one another and yet when you have time to lay down and sleep you are still so excited, high on adrenaline that it is an impossibility. No one really tells you about that first week....

2 Weeks Old:
It is bizarre how fast your "old" life fades from view. Those 14 days pretty much erase any real concept of what it feels like to sleep through the night or prepare a full meal. After running on 15 minutes of combined sleep and living off a couple boxes of Fudgeos I was pretty much inches from a full mental breakdown. Yet somehow life seemed a lot fuller and our house sure started to feel like home.


1 Month Old:
Life had to go on, primarily in the form of a full bathroom renovation. It is so funny to look back at the chaos that Wren started her little life in, but it was obvious from the start she was our baby! Nail guns and the pounding of tile chippers didn't phase her at all.
2 Months:
At this point I think we had completely forgotten what life without Wren was even like. She was beginning to really feel like a "baby". Lifting her head, looking at the world around her, so much new to learn.

This is also where the fun really started to kick in! We would find ourselves giggling over the simplest things. One funny look could have us hysterical.

3 Months Old:
And so it began... Wren was an independant girl from the get go but this was when she really found her stride. It also gave me 15 minutes of peace to enjoy a warm shower when I could watch her jump in the doorway through the glass door. THANK YOU to whomever created the jumper!


4 Months Old:
Apparently it is already embarassing to be simutaniously kissed by both parents. Too bad! Those cheeks only became more and more enticing as they filled out.


5 Months Old:
Funny faces, rolling over, laughing, these are just a few of the highlights of each day.

Life was still hectic in the this house of renovations, but baby seemed to love it all! However, the carseat was definitely starting to become heavy and we could see her little personality growing as she did.



6 Months Old:
Hello Teeth! This is really when it started to become more fun and less work. Who can complain with a little face like this looking up at you?



We made so many memories those first 6 months, but what we really made was a family. Laughing about the same things, watching someone turn into a person, creating a home, starting a business. We had many milestones and I never want to forget any of them. But most importantly I never want to forget that it wasn't easy. I had to work at it, learn things and even ask for help (which is usually pretty hard for me!). These are not things you can be ready or prepared for when you step into this job, but I think it is better that way. I would rather learn by working at it because that is when it means more.
It is impossible to sum up 6 months of life in a few pictures and a couple paragraphs, but it is better than nothing! Tomorrow I turn 26 and I look forward to spending the day looking forward to my next 6 months, year and beyond. And jotting down a few more memories from my 25th year.

46 comments:

Erin Southwell said...

This post is incredible.

You have inspired and comforted me.

E.

Magic Brush said...

What a sweet, sweet baby she is. Yeah.... I was just telling my bff yesterday who just delivered baby #2 5 weeks early... no one can EVER prepare you. I'm impressed you were only out of focus for a week. It was 6 weeks before I got my bearings about me.

But, God is so good.... he lets us forget quickly the sleepless nights, the way your body never goes back, etc. So.... we had 2 more!!!!! hehehe

I giggled at the part about her being your child in all that rehab. I used to take my babies to construction sites with me in their carseats.....

Merry Christmas. Glad I found your blog today.

chelsea said...

beautiful all around!

Chinny and Poom said...

I love the documentation. It really is so important ast the time whooshes by.
Beautifully written. Off to kiss my little ones now. :)

Sherrie said...

You will be so happy you wrote all those memories down. She is a beauty!

Anonymous said...

What a great post. I cannot believe how tiny she was!

L.Duncan@Home23DuncanBoys said...

Wren is one of the main reasons why I became a follower of your blog! I have three boys and I'm positive that I WILL NOT try again for a girl! So I live through you and Wren! She is soooo cute. This was a great post!!!

Anonymous said...

I may have shed a few tears reading that...

So sweet! I definitely am feeling you on the first week. I couldn't sleep when I should have, because I was on such a high. BUT it has been hard, and asking for help isn't my favorite thing either. :0) We are definitely entering the "more fun, less work" stage as well and it is so beautiful seeing her little personality come out more everyday.

It says "part 1" so I'm looking forward to the next post!

Amanda said...

Holly you have me in tears. I have struggled so much trying to keep every little memory fresh from the past two years and have been unable to express my feelings for my son on paper. I suppose some things can only be felt with the heart and not explained. Your words, however, are so dear and so impactful that sweet Wren will feel your love as she reads this one day. I'm sad that she may be your only child as it seems you have so much love to give... then again, lucky for Wren she'll always know where her life began and where all the love is she'll ever need... right alongside you and Sean even amidst life changing and renovation chaos.

It was touching to read through your memories and think back through my own. That first week, man are you right, the exhaustion is beyond comprehension and yet I was so busy watching my newborn sleep, that I didn't sleep at all. :) I sure wish I was as good as you seem to be at knowing how old your little one is in all of the photos. I shou;d start labeling them now. Lol.

You're a darling lovely lady and I wish you the happiest of birthdays tomorrow! I turn 26 in May so let me know how it goes. ;)

From one mama to another, words can't express how thankful I am that you shared this with us. Happy Birthday dear!

Chris Kauffman said...

I am so happy for you to be here today celebrating this wonderful milestone , pre-eclampsia is a vicious condition , in a few days we will be marking a year since we lost my niece at 34 weeks due to this very same condition , actually my SIL developed Hellp , and still has poor kidney function and high blood pressure she is on major medication and blood thinners still nearly a year later, happily and terrifyinly she is pregnant again being seen in TO at the high risk hospital , we want to keep this baby safe and healthy and get him or her here alive and of course my SIL too I went to their appt today playing mother hen grilling the docs, you are so blessed to have Wren , I hope we have a happy ending for our family too.

The Book Addict said...

This was a beautiful post and Wren will absolutely appreciate it someday! How precious! Thanks for sharing with the blogosphere. :-) Happy Birthday!

MrsKBJ said...

What a wonderful post! I think this is my favorite post of yours so far! I am looking forward to reading part 2. Happy Birthday! Enjoy your day!!
xo
Kelly

Andréann said...

What a great post! :D
I got my baby 3 days before my birthday, so a bday gift to!
you little girl is so cute and so grown up!

Happy Holidays!

A Wedding Story said...

Your documentation of Wren's first six months is beyond precious. Happy Birthday.

Donna said...

I'm so glad I found your blog - I don't remember how...but it has been so much fun watching little Wren grow, your home remodel and your new business!

Happy Birthday!

Little Lovables said...

great post! she was/is such a lovely little baby!!

The Peterson 5 said...

Happy Birthday! Thanks for sharing such sweet memories...it's amazing how quickly those cute babies change our lives & then it feels like they have always been a part of it. She is adorable!!

Rebecca said...

It is officially your birthday!!!! Happy Birthday Holly! (its 12:12 am here in Victoria)...I hope you have a FABULOUS DAY! 26 is a good age!!! I wish I was there to celebrate with you!
I LOVE this post...such a beautiful reflection of Wren's first precious months of life. She is a beauty just like her Mom! You are so inspiring to me, not only as a designer and friend, but also as a Mom!

Amber said...

happy Birthday!!! great reflection, I love it.

Giggles said...

Happy Birthday, you are an amazing example of the work and love it takes to be successful!!! Congratulations on keeping it together while sharing such inti
mate tender side of yourself and family!! You are one of my favorite blogs and I look forward to taking a peak into Wrens world, while watching as you grow and develop as a business woman!! Thanks for being such an inspiration! We have just completed hand painting a five piece wall unit with self leveling enamel. It was a phenomenal amount of work with thirty five pieces spread on plastic sheets all over the house, not including the actual units. I can't even tell you what a feat that was....I admire your tenacity as you continue revamping pieces!!!Thank you for this touching tear evoking post and all the other informative ones!! Happy Holiday to you!!

Shannon Dew said...

awe this is the sweetest post, made me tear up a little! have a fabulous birthday!

Kerry said...

What a wonderful post! Such beautiful pictures of your family -thank you for sharing them! Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas! All the best in the coming year!

Annie said...

What a blessing our children are! She's absolutely stunning too! Enjoy the time b/c they grow so fast - my baby girl is now 4! Happy Birthday, Merry Christmas & God bless your family!

Tales of Our Journey said...

Have a wonderful Birthday!


Wren is also, as always, the cutest ever!

Jessica said...

Such a beautifully written post. Happy Birthday Holly!

Leslie G said...

Great post Holly. What a great way to document Wren's first year! It's also nice to see other mom's who went through it at the same time you did. =)

Aja said...

Happy birthday Holly! What a beautiful post! Wren is just adorable- what a sweet way to document her first year! Looking forward to the next chapter!

Sharla said...

Wren is one special (and lucky!) little girl.

aLena said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Wish you all the best in the upcoming year!

It's soo cute how you and Wren almost share a birthday!

Love the documentation ... sooo beautiful!

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday, Holly. You have a beautiful family!

Bridget said...

Such a sweet post...it's amazing how much Wren changed from the first photo to the last! I'm expecting my first nephew any day now and I can't wait to help document and share his life!

Crys said...

Oh so sweet.... I love this!

Lettered Cottage said...

That's it. We've gotta get one of those little cuties sometime soon.
Thanks for sharing the adorable pics!!!
:-)

Layla

Lettered Cottage said...

Oh! And HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! :-)

Layla

Emily A. Clark said...

What a beautiful recap. Makes me relive the sweet first months with my babes. And, also makes me feel awfully guilty that I haven't filled out the first page in my 10-month-old's baby book :(

Unknown said...

what a blessing, I loved reading yuor story. It brings back some many joyfull memories of having my 1st and only child!

Unknown said...

Love this post, the picture of you 2 kissing Wren is so sweet.


Pardon my being nosey, just wondering why Wren will be your only child? Of course there's nothing wrong with that, just wondering!

Cant wait for part 2!

undomestic mama said...

The kissing picture is adorable! Happy Birthday to you too :)

Crystal said...

So sweet! I love this post! The pictures are so cute! This is something Wren can treasure forever! Keep those pictures coming of that sweet baby! Happy Birthday to you!

Emily said...

How can you possibly stop at one? Wren is so adorable and needs a sibling, someone to play with as she grows. Hope you have a very Happy Birthday!

Anonymous said...

She's so precious! Thanks for the camera advice way back when. I just got it as an early Christmas present and am psyched!! xoxo

Lena said...

Hope you had a great birthday. I love watching your little family grow.

bagfashionista said...

happy birthday, holly...it definitely sounds like you've had an incredible year, and there'll be even more great memories to be had as she grows up. happy 26th! (and just found it funny -- we are born the same year, and our babies are about a week apart)

Jameil said...

Awww! What a cutie!

McGee said...

Happy Birthday, Wren! What a beautiful little girl she is! And how incredibly tiny she was at birth! Our son, born less than two months ago, was 11 pounds, 6 ounces at birth (no, really!), and it amazes me to see how small Wren was in comparison.

You've had a very blessed year. Looking forward to seeing more photos of your sweet girl!

McGee

Krystal Wight Armstrong said...

(ug, I just wrote this comment, and then I look down and it's all gone...so here 'goes again)

I just wanted to say we are also glad for the miracle of modern medicine, and that it gave you a healthy Wren, and her (and us) a healthy You!

I wonder if Wren is so cool with all the reno noise because it was going on while she was growing in your belly, too. Either way, it sure is neat that she doesn't seem to mind.

And my, You really did do a lot this year, didn't you! You made it all look so easy from what you shared with your blog readers, but now I know it really was hard and you did a lot of work for the things that make your family happy. I really admire all that you do, and it's especially still so inspiring to see people set an awesome example of not complaining or waiting for life or others to hand them their ideal. But it's great to see people like you take real responsinilty for their own lives and working for the things they dream of. And we certainly appreciate all that you do and that we get to enjoy and celebrate those things with you when you are able to share the fruits of your work with us!
So thanks for sharing that little insight into your life with us. And I hope this new year gets to be a whole lot more of the fun and a lot less work for you!

 
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