How Wonderful Life is While You're in the World

Those are the words that I put on my Lucy bracelet.  Long ago I posted about the reason, and the words have never been more true.  It's amazing at the love and joy that someone so little can bring to the lives of those around her. 

Lucy is fiesty, funny, and loving.  She's stingy with the kisses, so when you get one you feel like the luckiest person.  When she and I were at the hospital last week it was tough on the whole family.  Stella was home with Jim and she told him, "Daddy, I have so much fun with you, but I like it best when we're all here together."   I know we all feel that way.

I finally feel completely content, like we have a whole family now.  We were a family before, but there was always something that didn't quite feel complete until Lucy joined us.

It's hard to believe that it's already been a year since we were making plans for Stella while we were in the hospital and wondering what this new little one was going to look/be like.  (I think if we had 8 kids they'd all look alike.)



One of her newest things is "walking" Stella's toys.  She bounces them along and makes little noises that are supposed to be "walk, walk, walk."

 I asked Jim to feed Lucy so I could do the dishes the other night.  Stella said, "I'll feed her".  I wasn't sure Lucy would let her, but thought it was worth a shot.  They did great!  Lucy sat there snuggling on her nap drinking her bottle while Stella loved her up.  Watching the bond between these girls grow may be one of the greatest things I'll get to witness in my life.

 I made Jim take a picture of us.  This is where she spent her last night one year ago.  How fun it is to look back at that last pregnancy picture he took and think of all of the ways she's changed over the year.

She's not walking, but will walk holding one of our fingers.  She cruises the furniture and looks for something close enough to grab onto once she reaches the end but quickly drops to a crawl when there's nothing within reach.   It's still difficult to tell exactly what she'll be like when she gets older, but she's not as dramatic as Stella and she's MUCH more physical/fearless than her big sister.  Something tells me she'll be antsy like her Daddy.  She LOVES to be outside and is a huge fan of the dog, or "Eht" as she calls him.  She still only has one little bottom tooth and says Mama and Dadda.  I thought she was going to be a great eater, but that has slowed down so she may not always be our chunky monkey (really, her chunk is all in those delicious cheeks!)

Though Stella is sad that once Lucy turns one we won't have a baby anymore, she's getting more fun with each day that passes.  I get to take the day off with them both tomorrow to celebrate.  I feel a bit guilty taking the day off since I just missed all of last week, but I told the kids that I can't NOT spend her birthday with her.  We'll go out for breakfast, do some last minute birthday party shopping, stop to see Daddy at school and I think Stella wants to go to Sugar Babies to play.  I know I've said it numerous times before, but I'm so very grateful to have a job that allows me SO much time with them!  I wouldn't have any other job in the world!

A few months ago I saw on a news show that the happiest families are ones with two girls and I couldn't agree more (the least happy had 4 girls according to the study if you're interested).  We're blessed beyond words and I give thanks every single day for the life that we've been given to share.

Happy First Birthday Baby Bug, we all ADORE you!