…who knew being 1 was such an ordeal?I know it’s been a while, and much has happened in the Parker Household in the past couple of months, so this post will be an attempt to catch you up and relieve myself of some serious blog-guilt.
So, we’ll start with Christmas…We got a special gift this year in that Kevin was able to be off for our anniversary, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas, and New Year’s eve. I tried to really enjoy it, knowing that this will most likely never happen again. We went to Austin to see Kevin’s parents. We decided that driving in the middle of the night after Kevin got off work at 11 was the best way to get there and spend the most time with the family and mess up Little Bit’s routine the least. That whole theory was contingent on her immediately going back to sleep when we got into the car. No such luck. Once we woke her up at 11 and got her in the car, she was wide awake. Not crying or anything, just wide awake. Until Smithville…which is over halfway to Austin. Needless to say, there was an extra nap involved the next day. Christmas was great…Laurel wasn’t quite sure what to do with the presents, and tissue paper was the best gift of all. The day after Christmas we drove straight to the airport, and Laurel and I headed to Missouri to see my family. This was my first flight without an extra baggage hauler, so I was a bit nervous. I was so thankful that some of our friends, Curtis and Amanda, were on the exact same flights all the way to Springfield, which meant I could go to the restroom without carrying everything I own. Such a blessing!
Missouri was great…Laurel charmed all the grandparents and great-grandparents. And, we returned with suitcases MUCH heavier than we left with. The miracle of the trip was at no point in any of the airports was any of our baggage weighed. And let me tell you, if it would have been, there would have been some extra fees to be paid. Missouri is always so bittersweet…I love my family there, love being around them, love watching Laurel around them, and hate to leave…but also, hate to think about leaving life as we know it here. Maybe one day they’ll all move south…I know, wishful thinking.
As the new year arrived, we got some other new additions…molars. I am so thankful these guys are almost all in. Laurel has been chewing on everything and is now an emotional roller coaster. The new favorite part of the day is when she gets Tylenol before bed and the favorite teething toy is my shoulder…it’s nice and bony, right at mouth height when I pick her up.
And, the biggest news of all…Laurel turned one on February 6th. I have no idea where this year has gone…it is honestly a blur. There are some moments I am so thankful have passed, and some that I would give anything to have back again. She has been such a joy to my heart and taught me so many things about life and priorities. We have yet to have her birthday party…that will come next weekend. But, we did have a cake experience…and what an experience it was! I bought her a cupcake for the day (I’ll be a good mom and make the cake next week). It was pre-equipped with a candle, covered in purple icing…perfect for a 1-year-old mess. I lit the candle and blew it out in front of her to show her what to do, set the cupcake in front of her, re-lit it, and instead of blowing, she reached up before we could stop her and put out the tiny flame with her fingers. The ensuing screams and meltdown prevented any cake from being eaten. She still bears the remnants of a blister on her little index finger. Hopefully the cake experience at the party will go better.
Finally, as a 1-year-old, we had to go to our 1-year check up with the pediatrician. I had heard rumor of what happens at this appointment and was not at all looking forward to it. Three shots later, we had to get blood taken like a big girl. That’s right…rubberband around the arm, drawing blood like you’re giving it. Apparently, Little Bit has “tough veins” because it took at least 5 minutes to get the needle to go into the vein. 5 minutes of screaming (not that I blame her!). But, all is well now…just a tiny bruise to remind us that she is not a baby anymore. Nope…21 lbs 10 oz and 29 ¾” long of a toddler.
