My first year with Christiana

Today Christiana is 11 months, 3 weeks, and 1 day!  My baby will be 1 year old next Wednesday!!! I now understand when other parents say cherish every moment with your baby; Christiana is just growing before my eyes and I get sad sometimes while other times I just look at her with a HUGE smile on my face as I see her meeting her developmental milestones.

Now is the time for me to reflect on my first year with Christiana Faith Teems!

1. I love being a mommy!
2. Christiana loves her mommy! 
3. Being a mommy is hard work!  Although being a mother is rewarding, it isn't easy.  Hats off to the single mothers, mothers with more than one child, and working mothers like myself (both single moms & moms with more than one child). 
4. I love hearing Christiana's laugh and seeing her smile.  I thought when Christiana had her early "gas or sleep" smiles that was one of the best things in the world, but now she knows when to smile & laugh. 
5. I love the fact that Christiana gets excited when she sees me when I pick her up from daycare.  I know there will be a time when she won't be as excited & want me to pick her up down the street.
6. Having wife/mommy friends are good.  Having people to talk to about developmental milestones or how to balance being a wife and mommy has been super helpful.
7. Quick trips to the store are no longer exists.  It takes at least 20 minutes to get the baby ready and by then sometimes I don't even want to go the store anymore. :O)
8. Time management is key.  MAN this is sooo important!  If I have to be somewhere by a certain time & Christiana is coming along, I need to give myself at least an hour to get both of us ready.
9. Have snacks ready at all times.  Munchie crunchies, animal crackers, crackers, or any of her favorite snacks.  When she's fussy just pop one of those in her mouth and that will keep her quiet for a few minutes.
10. Don't forget about daddy.  Dates nights are essential!  We get so wrapped up in the baby that we sometimes forget about one another.
11. Girls night are important.  After marriage and a baby, we forget about how much fun it is to hang out with the girls.  It's also a good opportunity for daddy to have time with the baby by himself.
12. Having at least 2 reliable babysitters is great.  Date night cannot happen without them.  Our babysitters love Christiana just as much as we do.  Thank you aunties! (Angel, Joy, Kowana, & Shana)
13. Baby tantrums are hilarious!  Where do they learn these things? 
14. Christiana is a total actress!  She has the fake cry down to a tee!  She can even make a few tears drop!  She'll have her daddy wrapped around her fingers in no time :O)
15. Babies can make a stressful day less stressful.  After a hard day at work, I've learned that I have to de-stress before I pick her up so she I won't bring the negativity around her. 
16. Baby girls are fun!  They have sooo many cute clothes for girls!  I now go shopping for her instead of me. 
17. Sleep sometimes doesn't exist.  That's pretty much self explanatory.
18. Planning birthday parties are fun!  I'm having the time of my life planning her first birthday party.  I already have ideas for her second birthday. :O)
19. Christiana has a huge family (blood & extended) that loves her!

I know I will think of more things as she gets closer to the big one!! 

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace
~ Numbers 6:24-26