Reagan's 1st Birthday!

Angel Baby, you will actually be 1 year old tomorrow! Mommy does not quite know what to think. Today last year, I was wandering around the house trying to finish the little touches I thought were important before bringing you home (mostly this meant a lot of cleaning). I remember being so very tired and not wanting to move at times. I took quite a few breaks that day and just laid my hand on my belly to feel your sweet little arms and legs kicking me back. I was nervous about what would happen the next day, but I was so very excited to meet you that I could hardly stand it. I remember Mommy and Daddy went for Olive Garden and Orange Leaf that night, and we talked about you the whole time. Daddy slept hard that night (which would be the last time that happened for a while). We fell asleep talking about how soon we would have you with us in that same bed. I remember it all as though it were last night.

"Rabbit Food"- or baby carrots with...

Peanut Butter and Cream Cheese Dip (on frozen reusable ice cubes from $1 Store)

Acorns- Ritz Bits, Hershey Kisses, and Chocolate Chips

Trail Mix- Pretzels, Pastel M&Ms, Gerber Owl Cheese Crackers, & Cinnamon Teddy Grahams

Pretzel Sticks covered with chocolate and graham cracker crumbs.

I can not believe it has actually been one full year since we finally got to meet you. You have kept us so busy; so happy (even if very tired at times). You have accomplished so much in your first year, Little Bit. You are far from that helpless, cooing baby we first met. Then again, we knew even back then that you had so much to tell us; so much you wanted to do with us. You are such a little explorer. Everything, anything, at any time will peak your curiosity and nothing will satisfy you until Mommy and Daddy examine it with you. 

You wake up talking. Truly. You begin talking as soon as you lift your head from the mattress. It amazes me, and it makes us both laugh to hear you. You get that from Daddy because Mommy wakes up much more slowly than either of you. Still, that beautiful smile that greets me each morning wakes me right up and assures me that it is going to be another great day.

Little Bit can put away some lemonade, y'all. He LOVES it!

You have such a little fire in you. Oh my goodness, what a fire you have. I do believe you will be so strong-minded that few will ever get the better of you. If they do, Mommy and Daddy are certain you will learn quickly and grow stronger from it. I do admire this special gift you have, sweetheart. I know it will be some time before I can ever tell you this, but it really is a strong piece of your character. You are very clear that you do not like being told no, and you sometimes fight us to prove we are wrong in telling you so. (Yes, even at 1.) It hurts Mommy to have to get onto you, but I know if we can teach you to use that little fire correctly that it will be the good gift it is intended to be.

Teddy Bear Face Masks with Giant Colors for craft project

Fall Decorations that I already had, but they matched so well and are so happy. Reagan keeps trying to get them.

Track Decals from Oriental Trading Company

Thank You Bags (w/ Themed Cups for the 2 children that came). 

Thank You Bags included a Fox Cookie, a Pretzel Stick, Blue Dinner Mints, Owl Playing Cards, and 1 Hand Sanitizer

You learn so quickly, Reagan. Gosh, you learn fast. It absolutely amazes us what you do and say. You have learned words are a great form of communication, and you have wasted no time in putting as many as you can to use. Even if you are rambling in 95% gibberish, your emotions and expressions always make it crystal clear what you are trying to convey. You try so hard to learn new words though, challenging yourself to do better. It is so incredibly amazing.

He only let me open the 1st gift with him, then he went straight to Daddy, so we swapped. 

You and your daddy have a special bond. Even on that first day that we were alone together while Daddy was at his office, I could tell you were looking for him. You just had this puzzled look on your face, like something or someone was missing. When you saw Daddy that afternoon, you were completely at ease. You almost looked like you were laughing at yourself for not realizing it was specifically Daddy you wanted that day. Everyday after was the same. When you could finally say dada, you started saying it at random throughout the day. You've even used it a time or two to guilt me for telling you no at times. You started calling out to him as soon as he walked in the door, and when you could crawl you began crawling straight to him as soon as the door opened no matter where you were in the house. Now that you can walk, it is even better. On rainy days, we wait inside by the french doors. You look outside (in the direction his truck comes) everyday and you wait so patiently. Sometimes we go outside and you run around until you see him. The other day I had to chase you down the driveway 3 times because you were not only running to the street, but trying to turn down the side Daddy comes from. I have had to start using your backpack leash to keep you in the yard while we wait now. Every time though, no matter what, your face is always the same. Your eyes light up and you give the biggest, sweetest smile while you tell him hi and hold up your arms to be picked up. I do not know anything else could make your daddy happier everyday. You sleep until the same time almost everyday, but on the weekends you fall on Daddy's schedule. You will wake up 2 hours early every Saturday and Sunday and call for your Daddy because you know he is up. I hear the two of you playing together every morning (and poor Daddy having to chase you a few times). When y'all hear Mommy, you both come in the room with smiles and kisses for me too.

That hat only lasted until the candle was blown out.

He was crazy for some cake. Pops shared his while I cut everyone a slice.

You and I have had a pretty crazy year, Little Bit. We have struggled with a rough start nursing, bad diaper rashes, fighting naps, hard nights, and the infamous moments where I tell you no for doing something you shouldn't. These are bittersweet moments for Mommy. I have been near tears, in tears, or completely frustrated during each of these scenarios, and yet, in the end, the joy that comes from overcoming each of these moments with you is so satisfying that I will gladly fight through it all whenever needed. I love you fiercely, Reagan. You have no idea that when you stop playing to lay on my chest, or shower me in (albeit slobbery) kisses, or give me that bright smile with those twinkling eyes, you make Mommy's heart swell a hundred times over. Even when you are happily playing with Daddy on the weekends or in the afternoons, you are always happy to add me into the mix to play too. I love being your mommy, Angel Baby.

Because even after cake and gifts, you HAVE to have a chocolate pretzel stick. :)

After the party, there was an after party of sorts. Crazy boy was all into his new ball pit.

Oh, and can't forget the V-Tech Karoke Machine Juju and Pops got for him! Too cute!!!

Reagan, you have completely turned your daddy's and my world upside down. Life before you seems so far gone that it is hard to imagine there ever was such a time anymore.We have loved every minute with you- yes, even the hardest, tear-filled minutes. You are our first angel baby to enter our life and begin our family, so tomorrow when we are celebrating your 1st birthday, we will be celebrating our first year as a family with you as well. God surpassed every prayer we ever prayed when He gave us you. We will forever be grateful for His decision to trust you with us, and we pray every day that He continue to show us how to be the very best parents to you, sweetheart. You are such a blessing, Reagan. You are so loved- so strongly and truly loved. You can just never know exactly how much you are loved. Mommy and Daddy love you, Little Bit. Happy 1st Birthday!!!