THE LAST WEEK OF HER YEAR

🌷Talk about a week of feels. All week, I kept remembering what I was thinking and feeling 1 year ago, knowing Evie's birth was imminent. Now, in her last week of her first year, I stare at her and still cannot believe she is here. Not only is she healthy, she is silly and goofy and so happy. She has this beautiful head of hair, a bunch of teeth, and loves to chat. She crawls everywhere and has no fear of her sister (Darla), who is still not fond of her. She is joy encapsulated. 

As the Amazon packages piled up (no one loves to throw a party like Marcia and Robin,) I found myself paralyzed by the reality of this party. Around 50 people are expected to show up for our little Peach. Excessive? Absolutely not. I know Evie won't recall a single moment of this birthday, but this celebration is so much more than a birthday - it's a celebration of our first year of parenthood. It's a celebration of all that we have overcome. Every person coming to her party in some way kept us strong enough to keep fighting for our monster. Celebrating with people that have celebrated our joy only seems fitting. 

Phil's mom, aunt, and brother will be joining in the festivities. It's kind of wild to think that this will be Matt's first time meeting Evie. A reminder that Evie has so many firsts to look forward to in her life. On the one hand, it feels like I've known Evie my whole life. I cannot imagine what life was like before her or what life was like without her. On the other, this year passed so fast. It feels like yesterday we were patiently awaiting her arrival - counting down the months, then weeks, then days, then hours for her to make her grand appearance.

I get sad looking at her newborn pictures. My heart hurts a little knowing she'll never be that small again. Then again, nothing makes me happier than seeing and hearing her laugh with yogurt all over her face, so proud that she is "SO BIG!"🌷