Today is Ava's first birthday, which I guess means that she is technically no longer a baby. How the hell did that happen? I JUST had her.....literally. I think I remember the day I had her better than most of the days in between. Everyone warns you about how quickly it will go by and you think "Sure, I know it will". But this last year has gone by faster than anything I have experienced.....granted a few other major things have happened....but I just can't believe how fast she's turned into a little person. One minute she is relying on me for everything and the next she is walking around like she owns the place.
I don't think that anything in the world could have prepared me for being a mom. It doesn't matter how ready you think you are, or how much "experience" you think you have.....it's so much different when it's your own. It's better. It's harder, but it's so much better. Last week Ava learned how to give hugs, and I'm telling you, I could die right now and be happy. She started giving them to the dogs and when I asked her for one, she wrapped her arms around me and laid her head in my lap.....pure bliss. Then she laughed and ran away....typical!
Having her has changed me in so many ways, as it should. I've gone from being the biggest arachniphobe to killing spiders with my bare hands without thinking twice if they come near her. It's amazing what you will do for a helpless little munchkin! Mostly, I look at her and realize that she has made me capable of doing things that I had no clue I could ever do, or even want to do. She has made me want to be a better person, for her, for myself, for my husband.....I'm not there yet, but I'm working on it! I know that I will be thankful to her for these things for the rest of my life......because having her is shaping me into the person that I am supposed to be. She is absolutely the best gift that I have ever been given and I am truly thankful for her every single day......even when she is a crazy little monkey!!
So all of you mommies, go hug and kiss your kiddos because you wouldn't be who you are without them!
