And just like that... She's One!

Can you believe it? I certainly can't! Our little one turned one a few weeks ago!
It seems like yesterday that I was in bed and my waters broke.
I will never forget coming home from hospital and my mother in-law had decorated the house with balloons and banners. It was such a special, warm welcome for our new arrival.
The first few weeks were a blur of uncertainty, immense love and immense fear too - fear that somehow our gorgeous baby would disappear suddenly. 
The house was filled with flowers and gifts and I will cherish those early weeks and months and still am so touched by how many people helped to celebrate the birth of our daughter.
Motherhood has been the biggest surprise of my life - not that I would become a mother as since I turned about 25 I had an idea that I'd like to have children. What's been a surprise is just how much joy having my daughter has brought me.
Maybe its obvious but I just wasn't prepared for how much love I would feel and how much my life would change for the better.
Before her, I was far too worried about career stuff and would get caught up in insecurities very easily.
Now, it's not like they have vanished but they are considerably further down on the priority list and lets be honest, having a baby really does put things into perspective.
It's not that I fear less - in some ways I fear more (as mentioned earlier) but I feel I face those fears a lot more quickly now. Nothing gets me more motivated then when I think of how accountable I am - not just to myself but to my daughter.
How can I tell her to take risks, follow her heart and be brave when I can't be?
She is more motivation then I've ever needed to be better then I was yesterday.

The past year has gone by so quickly - as everyone said it would. There have been loads of ups and downs - from the usual being up all night long, being pooped on, vomited on, not being able to shower for what seemed liked days. Feeling like a failure, feeling blissed out, feeling like such a bad mum to feeling like I have got this.
Without a doubt having family and friends around me has been amazing and has been my saviour more than a few times. My husband has been with me every step of the way and together we have some how managed to keep this little person alive. We hope she's as happy as we are.
Thanks to everyone who has been reading this. I have more stories and thoughts to come.

Here's to another great year ahead...

DM
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