One Year Ago

One year ago, I was sitting where I am presently very much pregnant. Yes, I am at work on a Saturday, but that's another issue. In any case... at this time last year, I was 38 weeks pregnant and not scheduled to give birth for another 11 days.

At this time last year:

* I was 28 pounds heavier.

* I was a family of two and a dog.

* I was feeling like a beached whale.

* I was getting ready to go on maternity leave... in fact that this was going to be my last day at work. I wanted to have a nice week and a half off to relax.

* I came to work, but left halfway through my shift because I couldn't sit still and my back was hurting.

* I went and got my pedicure... I wanted to push with pink toes.

* I felt an urge to vacuum because I didn't know when I'd be able to do it again.

* I straightened up the house and got a shopping list ready so I could start making dinners to freeze, save and reheat.

* Took the dog out for a walk.

* Got the mail and saw that I had a little ticket that the mail lady couldn't deliver a package.

* Took the dog out for another walk to try and catch the mail lady. Mission accomplished.

* Thought about writing my thank you note for the nice Dr. Seuss quilt I received.

* Sat down to enjoy a strawberry milkshake from Burgerville and called my mom to tell her that she could wait to fly out until after my next OB appt.

* Got my first contraction at 3:12 pm.

* Felt like I had to go to the bathroom and found out that my water broke.

Nine hours later and only 5 hours of active labor I had a beautiful baby girl. My life has changed greatly and I am enjoying every single minute of it.

What has changed?

* I no longer get to sleep in.

* I revel in the fact that my little girl has finally pooped!

* Love to watch her instead of TV.

* Getting out the door takes about two minutes longer than previously.

* Going out on dates with just me and Brad are few and far between.

* There are now sometimes four bodies in one queen sized bed.

* I put myself last... always Amelia first.

Things I've learned:

* Relax and go with the flow.

* The house work can wait.

* I love my husband even more than the day I married him.

* The love between a child and a mother is something you cannot explain or put into words.

I knew motherhood was going to be difficult... but I didn't realize it was going to be so much fun at the same time. The rewards are so great and those little crises are just a drop in the bucket. The missteps far outweigh the pluses of watching your little one grow. I am savoring every moment and every day. Tomorrow will be a bitter sweet moment as I watch my little munchkin leave the baby stage and into a toddler. However, I am excited to see what the next day brings as she starts exploring her world more and interacting with things.