Party time....

If I am being honest, I cannot deny that we have had a challenging year here at the honeypot.  We had a baby and moved house all in a week and then a month or so later Daddy Bear had a bump in the road with his health.  In the midst of life (especially when we are finding it challenging), it can become too easy for us to put a party in the too hard basket which is what we let happen....almost. 

So yesterday, bathed in a beautiful autumn day we celebrated one year since we first welcomed Baby G into our family.  She is the beautiful rainbow that is shining after our roughest storm so far and is by far the most wonderful gift that we have received during this challenging year.  We celebrated with love, gusto and hope and marked the beginning of a new chapter in our lives.

Life is not always full of sunshine and skittles and sometimes the magnificent must be balanced out with the less-than-stellar.  I am sure I will look back at our challenges with gratitude one day as it really has made us stronger but for now, I am excited to start letting the sun shine through the clouds and live life a little more fun.  Because really, isn't that what it is all about?

(Thanks must also be given to Nanny and Poppy who went above and beyond to make our celebrations and vision come to life for Baby G's party. They are our strength and support in good times and in bad and we are beyond blessed to have them. Words do not give justice and thanks will never be enough xxx) 

One....

A year ago tomorrow Baby G made her way earthside after a very intense 30 minute labour.  I am taking time out today, putting a hold on the party planning, a hold on the ever growing list of things to do and reflecting on the awesomeness of our baby girl and the journey we have taken over the last year together. 

This day last year- the night before I went into labour with Baby G, I wrote a note for my family and this is the part I wrote for my belly babe, who, unbeknown to me at the time was almost ready to journey out into the world and into the arms of her loving family.

From the moment you were conceived I have loved you.  You are a gentle soul and I feel utterly blessed as I feel you move with grace in my belly.  The thought of meeting you takes my breath away and fills me with an uncontainable excitement.  I can’t wait to welcome you into the world and share our lives with you.  Thank you for choosing us to be your family.

I am filled with emotion about the prospect of my baby turning one.  I am ever so grateful and proud and also shocked at how quickly the last 12 months have gone.  Baby G takes my breath away with her beauty, inside and out, her smile lights up a room and she brings sunshine and happiness to everyone she meets.  She is determined, hot tempered, cheeky, loves to babble, high five, play peek a boo and clap.  She loves animals, bananas in pyjamas, going to the park, squeals with excitement when Daddy Bear gets home from work, adores her brother and is happiest when she can watch the world go by whilst sitting on her Mama Bear's hip. 

I am completely in awe of the little lady Daddy Bear and I created from love and raise in love.  She reminds me that people are born with an innate goodness and that every day, even the hard ones when you want to call a do-over, is precious, fleeting and a special gift that not everyone is lucky enough to be given. 

 So, in the midst of a busy honeypot filled with chaos, I sit here with pure gratitude and give thanks for my much longed-for little girl.  My heart overflows with love and pride and no words give justice to the love I have for her.  It truly is an honour being your mummy little girl xxx