Summer 2014

School is starting this week and for the first time in my adult life this fact feels significant to me.  The beginning of school marks the end of summer.  The end of my first summer as a momma.  The end of Chloe and I's first summer together.  While Chloe won't be venturing off to school for another 4 years, we've made so many memories doing fun things that only or mostly happen during the summertime. We've gone swimming, gone to splash pads, gone to the lake, gone for walks to the park, the zoo, a really cool farmstead in Kansas City. In the midst of managing life as a new mom, it truly just hit me the other day, I have had an amazing first summer with my baby girl.  One that I will always look back on and cherish.  Although it has certainly been the most challenging (Shout out to all you singles mommas out there. I get a taste of it when Kyle travels.) it has also been the sweetest and most fulfilling of my entire life.

Memorial Day Weekend, Lake Eufaula

When I found out I was pregnant and due in February, I was slightly bummed that it would be difficult to ever have an outdoor birthday party.  Hello bipolar Oklahoma weather.  But what I didn't know then and what I fully appreciate now is that by the time Chloe was 3 months old in May, we were out of the newborn haze.  The colic had become a blocked out distant memory.  We were getting more sleep. Chloe started to become more aware of her surroundings.  She began to discover life.  And as a result, I began to discover life again also, but this time through the eyes of a little one.  And that is purely magical.

Jackson Park Splash Pad, Tulsa OK

Our very own front porch became a favorite spot.  A place where we would sit and watch the rain and feel its cool breezes.  Or we would listen to Pandora as we blew bubbles. We would go for walks and stop to watch squirrels play or bunnies skittishly hop away. And then there were days we took shelter in the air conditioning and read stories and sang silly songs.  

That smile.

It's been exciting to watch Chloe reach her milestones.  From sleeping in her crib, to rolling over both directions, to trying oatmeal and rice cereal.  It truly has been awesome.  She has started to take a deeper interest in toys and it is so fun to watch her play and babble.  I love handing a toy to her and she reaches her little hand with all her fingers spread out to take it.  She has also started reaching to touch my and Kyle's faces.  It's pretty much the sweetest thing ever.

When you're a baby, you can totally pull off 

pink polka dots and leopard print.

While I am a little sad that our first summer is drawing to a close, I am filled with so much anticipation for the months ahead.  There are so many memories waiting to be made as autumn and the holidays are just around the corner.  And our little one will likely become mobile before the year is done.  Then she'll really be keeping me on my toes!