Kristen Leigh
- Nov 17, 2018
- 2 min read

365

Updated: May 13, 2020

November 17, 2018.

Today is for cake, my baby is one! This day seemed so far away, yet here we are, in disbelief. The fastest year of our lives. Mama is emotional, it's a tricky feeling to describe. I'm over the moon with happiness looking at my growing, healthy, beautiful baby girl in awe of her little personality and how much true joy she brings. But I'm also fighting off tears as it makes you realize how precious time is, how FAST it goes, and how much your heart can love.

It's so true what they say, that the days are long but the years are short.

A scheduled c-section two weeks early brought our baby into the world, 5 lbs 10 oz, 20 inches, 11:45 am. I'll never forget every minute of this day, from driving to the hospital trying to calm our nerves, so I of course listened toTaylor Swift, to hugging my husband for the last time as "just us two" before they walked me in not having him by my side until it was go time. But before we knew it, we heard her cry. We wished for and dreamed of this moment for what felt like too long, and now she was here. After a few minutes I saw my baby, and there are no words for that moment. She's taken over our hearts and I'll seriously never forget seeing her and holding her for the first time. There are no words until you experience this moment.

I know I can't be the only Mama who stayed up late scrolling through the hundreds of pictures of her baby, crossing off day 364. Today we celebrate you Mila Rae and all that this year has brought. It has been the best, most rewarding, most challenging, most exhausting, most amazing year of our lives. I've also never purchased as much coffee or dry shampoo as I have this year. You have taught me so much in just 365 days.

Happy 1st birthday sweet girl. Mama will always love you (and worry about you) forever and ever. Now I need a wine refill and another tissue. #thisisone