I look at these pictues and I just can't believe how big she is. It seems like only yesterday when she was placed in my arms for the first time--a sweet, precious, most surprising GIFT that I never in a million years knew I wanted so badly. Every single moment has been a joy, even the exhausting ones in the middle of the night when I thought we'd never get her to sleep for more than an hour without waking up. And now she's huge, a whopping almost 27 pounds at one year, practically off the charts in height and length. I like to think that God made her big so she could stand up to those brothers of hers. She's a tough little cookie.
At one year, Miss Emmeline is happy as can be, more mobile than I would probably like, and interacting with her world in new ways everyday. She loves to walk holding our fingers, clap, sing songs, read books, and play peek-a-boo. She cruises all over the house and stands independently without having to hold onto anything for support. She's never still for long, preferring to crawl anywhere and everywhere, even escaping out the front door a few times when it wasn't completely closed. She adapts well to new places and events, including the lack of a good schedule which is so hard to keep with four kids!
When she sees those brothers of hers, Emmeline just lights up. She adores them and they adore her. It is really beautiful to see. She is one lucky girl to have three big brothers to watch over her--I know she probably won't realize that for a good long time, but she will one day. I think she saves her biggest smiles for her daddy. Everyone always says girls love their daddies, and it is definitely true in our house! I'm sure after having three mama's boys, it's a fun change for Brad. And daddies with their daughters are just cute all around. It is really something special to be able to enjoy having both genders in our family.
I wish I could just rewind the past year and live it all over again. Everything always happens in such a blur, and once you blink, it's over. It's been especially emotional these last few weeks as I realize I am entering a new chapter in my life, a new "season" if you will. Knowing that Emmeline is my last and that I'll never grow a baby inside my belly again, I'll never hold another newborn after giving birth, I'll never nourish a baby with milk from my own body, and I'll never nurture and care for an infant again has been really hard to accept. I know in my heart that we are done, but it's a sad feeling to move on to the next chapter and leave this part of my life behind. I am so thankful to have had the indescribable joy of having my four sweet babies and living my dream of being a mommy. There is nothing better.
Happy Birthday to the missing piece in our crazy little family, our sweet baby Emmeline Claire.
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