A Year with Lena

A year. For an entire year now Lena's sweet face has been shaping and changing our every action, every thought. A year ago today I lay happy in the hospital with my sweet baby girl in my arms. She was almost 24 hours old and already Helena Margo Carr had changed our lives in such a magical way.

 

 

I always knew I wanted to be a mother and I always knew I would love it more than anything, but the love I have for this girl is so uncontrollable and so out of this world. I have never felt an instinct so strongly. The love I have for her is crazy.

 

 

I have loved every moment of watching her take in the world around her. Delighting in animals, people, books and balls. Every day she gets stronger and wants to explore and a little bit more. I look at her and know I have done a good job. At first I think, "I made her" or "she's mine", but its not that. She's healthy, she's happy, she's safe and she feels safe. I feel like she knows she can go explore the world but we will always be right there, ready to catch and steady her as needed.
 

She loves her family. Babbling and cooing when we see a Nonni or a Grandpa. Really she loves everyone, always making friends everywhere we go. She loves music and dancing. Even when its just to the silly songs her and I make up on the piano.

 



 

 

I hope she always knows how much I love her and how much I love being her Mama. She wont remember this first year of her life. But I always will. The first 6 months of sharing and room, a bed, sleeping breath by breath. Giggles and snuggles from Daddy when he gets home. Hugging Posey and loving bath time so much that she sometimes cries when it's time to get out. This past year has been filled with so many adventures so many happy memories. There were times that were hard, cries that I thought would never end. But her smiles in the morning make all of that seem like nothing. I wouldn't trade one moment with her. It has been the best year of my life, spending it with her. I cannot imagine the joys and journeys that will take place in the years to follow. My heart explodes with love for this little being. She has made me want to be a better person.

 She made me whole. She made us a family. I love you, Lena Bean. Happy First Birthday!!

Wool Festival

My Mom lives in Alaska. We travel up there in the summer to visit her and the rest of the year she travels down here to visit us and the rest of her family. I love it when she's here. She has the kindest heart and she helps so much with Lena. And on top of those good things, she finds little adventures for us to partake in. There is so much to do around where we live. And I am not always very good at taking advantage of that. So when my mom is here it feels so good to get out and find new things for us to do. One of those things was the Valley Ford Wool Festival.

 

 

 

 

 It was back in May. Everything was lush and green. The drive out there was beautiful and although it was a really windy day the Festival was a lot of fun.

 

 

 

 

( I know Lena is in the carrier backwards, but she's standing up, there is no pressure on her hips, I am holding her, and it was for a short period of time. ;)

 



 

Crafting is almost a need. Felting and crocheting are two newer things I'm trying. Couldn't get enough of all the colors.

 

May, Lena was nearly 7 months old. It's hard to imagine she let us hold her all day. Even with dogs and sheep around. Now she is always going in her own direction.

 

 

This face!

 

 

 

 

My two are so good at making faces. I loved this day with the family all together. It wasn't very large, but it was sweet as could be. Textures, colors, and animals at every turn.