Palmer Turns One

Yesterday, we celebrated Palmer's first birthday with a party! I had been stressing out about it for awhile, trying to think of all the things I needed to remember to do before the big day! Turns out, I didn't need to think about it as much as I did. Everything turned out great. Aside from missing out on a few people, everything turned out as I hoped.

I set up the decorations the evening before, which gave me more time in the morning to prep food and ice the cupcakes. 

We had my family and a few of Palmer's little friends there. 

Palmer had a great time playing with her friends, and opening her gifts! She certainly was a spoiled little girl yesterday!

We stripped her down to a diaper and let her go to town on her giant cupcake. 

I think she may have enjoyed it! :)

Even though Palmer was battling the tail end of a cold, she had a good time!! 

She is one loved little girl!

Our Dear, Sweet (almost) One Year Old Palmer

My Dear Sweet Palmer,

As we come up on your first birthday, I look back at all that has happened over the past year, and I am in awe. It is so hard to imagine that a year ago, we were a family of two, and how a year ago, our lives changed forever.

We weren't sure what to expect walking into the hospital that day, but now we know, it was the greatest thing that has ever happened to us.
One year ago, we held you in our arms for the first time.
One year ago, we became a family of three.

Because of you, I am a mom.
Because of you, I am a better person, and strive to be the best that I can.
Because of you, Palmer, I know the deepest meaning of love.

Yes, there have been sleepless nights, grumpy days, and days of pure exhaustion, but those days don't even begin to measure up to the good days.
The days you laugh.
The days you love to cuddle.
The days you give hugs and kisses.
The days you learned to roll, sit up, crawl, and stand.
The days you say dada and mama (the sweetest sounds ever!)

You truly are the happiest little girl I've ever met.

It is amazing to see how much you have changed over the past year. You began as a 5lb 13oz tiny little baby who slept the majority of the day to an almost 25lb nearly-toddler who doesn't keep still.

Not too many things will slow you down these days. I hope this is always true.
I hope you always have the confidence to go where you want, do what you dream, and be who you are.

I cannot wait to see what the next year will bring for us.
A year filled with many more firsts, giggles, and cuddles.
A year filled with memories of watching you grow.
A year filled with love.


We love you, Palmer.

Love Mama.

Our First Week at the Day Home.

This past week, our family has settled in to our new "real life." With Palmer approaching her first birthday, it was inevitable that she would be heading to her day home soon, Mitch would be heading to school fulltime, and I continue to work.

Our real life began on Monday.

Monday morning, we all had to wake up bright and early. With me having to be at work at 7am and Mitch at school at 7:30am, this too means that Palmer had to be up and out the door early too to head to her new day home.

I really wasn't as nervous or worried about this day as I thought I may have been. I had gotten everything ready the night before, packing lunches for Mitch and I and packing Palmer's new backpack for her first day with her day home and sorting out last minute details with J (our day home provider).

So, every day this week, I got up 15 minutes earlier than I use to, packed up Palmer at 6:15 am, and headed off to J's house. Right now, her house is way across the other side of the west side, but luckily for us, she is moving closer to our house at the end of the month so we will literally have to drive by her house to get to and from work everyday, which is going to hugely reduce the time driving there!

The first couple days, I think Palmer was a little upset over Mitch or I not being there all day with her, but by Friday, she really warmed up to her new routine.  We get reports that Palmer loves to play with the other kids. J takes them on walks, to play dates, and to the library for stories and songs (Which we hear Palmer really loves!) I know it's early yet, but I feel really good about Palmer going to J's house nearly everyday. 

Palmer's Life: One Year Old!

 (I willI can't believe our precious, sweet baby Palmer is one year old today! It's amazing what a year can do to change your life. It's hard to remember what life was like before Palmer, yet is seems like just a few short weeks ago we had a tiny, almost 6 pound baby with us. 

Sleep:
Sleep this past month has been on and off. Just after 11 months old, Palmer began waking in the middle of the night, and just wanted to be held. There were a handful of sleepless nights, nights where she slept in our bed, mornings when we were up before the sun, and days where the whole family napped. At the time, it was hard to deal with and I kept trying to tell myself that it was just a phase. And now that it has nearly passed, I can look back on it and say, it wasn't that bad. (I will just update this as I wrote it a week ago, last night poor Palmer was up all night with a cough, and therefore, so was mommy. I think we got a grand total of 3 hours sleep).

What's happened this month:
Palmer is non-stop moving. Nearly a toddler, she is just go, go, go! Palmer can stand on her own and I know it will be just a short while longer before she takes those first steps, then we really need to watch out!

We officially transitioned to one, longer afternoon nap, which is great! On the days we are home, it gives us time to get things done around the house. On the days she goes to her day home, she is rested and happy when we pick her up.

Palmer now has 7 teeth, and that 7th one didn't come without any grief at nighttime!!!

Palmer has recently chosen a favourite stuffy, a little elephant. She's began carrying it around with her all over. He usually follows her to bed, and often when she wakes up, she needs it our of the crib too.

I attempted my usual monthy photo with Palmer's giraffe, but Palmer has become much too busy and has too many things to do that sit for mommy to take her photo!,!

Palmer has become a great little eater! She'll eat most anything we put in front of her. Her favourites are: any type of fruit, most recently blueberries. Noodles, crackers, cheese. I really could continue on and on!!

We can't believe you're one year old already, Palmer! You've brought so much joy to our livesin such a short time. We cannot wait tosee what's next!

We love you! Xoxo