One year already

Who knew a year could hold so much or go by so fast? I can hardly believe that it was only 13 months ago that I was going to the hospital in anticipation of our baby's arrival, not knowing how long she would take to arrive or even that she was a girl. I have to admit that I was surprised by my own strength and focus during the beginning labor stages: by the level of exhaustion that labor can cause; and by the wonderful numbness that can come from a spinal before a c-section. One of our first best moments was when Bailey and I got back to our room and it was just Eric and his 2 girls and we fed B for the first time and then Bailey and I snuggled and slept together for the first time.

Having the summer together as a family was such an immense blessing. The first few weeks were full of family and friends. I was and am so grateful for my new mommy friends who delivered meals to us the first few weeks we were home. Also, so grateful for both our moms who also helped with food and housework during the first few weeks. I wasn't sure how I would go back to work. But I went and, while it felt good to be busy and back to business, I still missed my baby girl.
The beginning of September, my job was cut at the YMCA, due to the economy. At the end of that week, Eric had an emergency appendectomy. I spent my first 2 weeks of unemployment taking care of both of my babies. While I have continued to search for a job, it seems to be quite elusive right now. So, as I couldn't find a job this past fall, I became more involved with the Defiance Mother's and More group. I have to say a BIG thank you to Kelly Tong and Alesha Switzer for convincing me to join. Without their persistence, I would have missed out on meals after Bailey was born, meeting a great group of women, making some of the most amazing friends, and having the opportunity to give back to the group by volunteering. I also have to thank the few women of the group who have become the most blessed friends I've been, well, blessed by. They are my friends, sisters, advisors, inspiration, and blessings. I love you and don't know what I would do without you. Thank you!

Bailey is such a joy. We are truly blest by such a wonderful, beautiful girl. Everyday I get to treasure seeing her grow and develop and learn. She now has 11.5 teeth, the 4 top front, the 4 bottom front, a molar on top on both sides, a molar on the bottom right, and a matching one trying to come in on the left. She can climb up and down the stairs on her own with great ease, she walks everywhere, and occasionally runs. She is close to mastering the shape sorter, loves watching Sesame Street, carries her Elmo dolls around the house, and sits in her princess chair like the true princess she is. Her smile is beautiful and her laugh is so full of joy that it almost makes me cry to hear it and feel her joy.
I can only imagine what adventures the rest of this summer will hold for us all. The summer started with Bailey's First Birthday. Mostly family and close friends came for our homemade burger bbq party with my first attempt at a birthday cake, which turned out wonderfully. Bailey was showered with love and presents and all had a great time.
Next was a visit from Jacob, Amy, and Kurt Hauser, which held Bailey's first encounter with a younger baby. Bailey did pretty well and only went for Kurt's eyes 2 or 3 times.
The next adventure was BG Men's Chorus Reunion, where Eric and I spent the weekend with Chrissy and CC Snyder while Bailey stayed home with Grandma West. Bailey did get to see the concert and enjoyed some of Mommy's favorite songs, performed by Daddy.
Then, we headed to Zanesville, where we enjoyed some time with Grandpa and Grandma and even got to spend an afternoon with other family. We got to eat Tom's ice cream, spent our afternoons in the little pool, ate Adornetto's pizza, and grabbed Donald's donuts on our way out of town. It was some much needed r&r for the family.

Bailey then got to enjoy her first annual Grandma Camp for 4 days, when Eric and I went to the Kierland Westin Resort in Scottsdale, AZ for Eric to attend a yearbook conference. I got to try some fabulous food that I had been dying to try for a long time, spent some time relaxing by the pool, and had some wonderful dinners and evenings with Eric. But we missed our Bailey girl, who came to see us right away in the morning and gave us both such great hugs that we are determined to spend some quality time at home with her for the next few weeks.

I hope that this will not be the only blog from the West family this year, as we seem to have fallen behind in our blogging. Hopefully you have enjoyed this update and maybe it will be the first of many for this year. Blessings to all!