The Pumpkin Patch - 1 Year Later

Somehow our littlest lady will be 11 months tomorrow (on her daddy's birthday). So today we kicked off the weekend with an afternoon at the pumpkin patch picking the last of the strawberry harvest and choosing some especially lovely pumpkins for our front porch. The whole afternoon had me flashing back to exactly one year ago, when Navy was our only and Willa was still snuggled up in my tummy. 

Looking at the photos from today and comparing them to this time last year, I can hardly believe that we've already enjoyed nearly one year with her in our arms! And yet, her entrance into our lives has been total, consuming magic. The kind of intense magic that needs a year to hold it, really. My heart is utterly besotted as though I never knew a time where I didn't know her and love her. Never could I have imagined such a perfect and complimentary being to join our crew. But here she is. Our gift to watch over with grateful hearts, overflowing. 

And Navy! What change and growth and coming-into-one's-own we've witnessed this past year in her! Our sweet baby-toddler in those pictures from last year has grown into a little girl it seems! Though I'm reluctant to even say that, as my heart knows she's still so little in the grand scheme of things. Still! Emotionally, intellectually and physically, the changes we've witnessed this past year have us wide-eyed and smiling nearly all the time. She makes us belly laugh regularly, swells our hearts with her kindness and generosity and routinely reminds us of the importance of focusing on those things in life which are truly beautiful and life-giving. She is a force of nature in the best possible way. She loves her sister deeply and truly and she has been the most gracious and accommodating toddler as we adjusted to having another baby in the home. Though we worked intentionally to make this transition gentle on her, she chose to cooperate freely and engaged enthusiastically. That has truly been one of the most blessed things to come of this past year in conjunction with Willa's arrival.

I never want to forget the year that Willa joined our lives. And not just for the obvious reason of Willa joining us, but more for the domino effect her presence has had on us all and between us all. Adapting to two children, getting to know Willa, learning even more about Navy, growing as parents navigating uncharted territory...it's just enriched the experience of loving this family of mine even more. The love gets deeper and stronger with each passing day and I'm so profoundly grateful for the opportunity to 'do this'. To be their mama and to do it hand in hand with my love. Life is good. 

Navy turns 2

Two years ago this sweet girl was placed in my arms for the very first time. Born after 8 hours of peaceful labour at home, she and I emerged from the water mother and child. Her, new to this world and me, new to what the world would be like with her in it. I soon learned that the happiest days could reach new heights, seeing her relish in the joys life has to offer while even the saddest days gained a deeper sense of meaning and purpose, as I navigate them with her by my side. What a privilege it is to have brought her into this world and to be spending my days raising her with Ryan. She is wild, kind hearted, adventurous, brave, loving, independent, fiercely determined, funny and intelligent. I love her more with every beat of my heart. Happy 2nd birthday Navy girl. You are treasured beyond words ❤︎

An Afternoon at the Pumpkin Patch

This weekend Ryan was out of town so my sweet sister Brooke & my mom (Nanny with 3 exclamation marks if Navy is saying it ;) spent the weekend with us. There's just nothing like having family come out and visit at our new place, especially as we're still processing moving away from so much and so many that we loved. 

We explored our town, ate out, took long country drives, watched lots of movies and smiled constantly at Navy being a big girl all weekend...conversations a'plenty, the start of potty training, SO many bubble baths, gymnastics all over the house and the sweetest little toddler sentences taking all of us off guard at the cutest moments. 

We wrapped up the weekend with a visit to a local pumpkin patch and had the BEST time. There's just something about watching a toddler take in the wonder of a new experience; relishing the sights, sounds, textures and newness. Sure forces you to slow down and focus on being present. Hard to do feeling as very pregnant and tired as I do while running after my wild little girl, but am I ever grateful when I manage to. Always seems to feel like the most peaceful pause in the midst of chaos and a moment of total clarity towards what really matters. 

Doing my best to soak up this precious time with her as my only. Baby sister will be here in a month or so and I know the greatest new adventure awaits us. Still, I can't help but feel a bit wistful and emotional over closing this chapter with her as our only. Her joining our family and showing us the unparalleled joy that parenting can bring....well, adequate words escape me. I'm just so incredibly grateful and humbled ..... and tired ;)....but more than anything, so. beyond. grateful. 

In Between Seasons

I just love this time of year. It's still brisk out, but not bitterly cold. We still wear our winter gear but we don't need to layer too heavily underneath or always wear our toques, scarves & mitts. The snow has almost melted away entirely revealing the dusty, dormant grass beneath. Everything is the same varied shade of brown and at first glance, doesn't look all that promising that spring growth could ever push through. But inevitably it does. It always does. 

And this in between season feels like a pause almost ... a moment to take a breath as we begin to feel our bodies relax from bracing against the cold all winter long. The mild cold a reprieve from the freezing cold, and even amid the crispy beige and seemingly lifeless landscape, there is the feeling of spring and new life in the air and it's lovely. Just exactly the way it is.  

Little Navy and I took our inaugural walk to the park today...no stroller or carrier. Just her and I, hand in hand. The park is about 3 minutes from our home, but it took us more like 15 to get there tee-toddling at her sweet pace. I have never enjoyed taking forever to get somewhere so much. Life at her pace and from her vantage point is refreshingly sweet and it makes this mama's heart swell each and every day. 

motherhood // Navy at 1 Year

Our sweet little girl is already 1! It's hard to believe we've already enjoyed one year with her in our lives. Harder to believe that she turned one 2 months ago (!!) and I am just now finding a moment to write about this sweet milestone. Life has been busy, but good, and we are grateful. 

I was so emotional leading up to Navy's first birthday. Something about closing a chapter and moving on from infancy and into baby/toddlerhood had me feeling so conflicted. That push and pull of emotions I've felt since the day I gave birth, it was strong approaching her birthday. Feeling simultaneously proud of all she's learned and how spectacularly she's grown while deeply missing her former dependance and brand-newness. I imagine that will be one of the greatest weights I'll ever carry as a mother and I'm sure it will be with me as long as I am alive. But it's also the most incredible gift. Being able to feel this deeply. To feel both ends of the spectrum fully, at the very same time. It is a beautiful reminder that I am alive, that I am living my purpose and that I am immeasurably blessed to love this wholeheartedly.

The day Navy was born, I was reborn a mother. I emerged from her birth a woman rewired and there hasn't been a moment of this first year with her that I haven't loved my new role fiercely. Of course, there have been challenges, learning curves, worries and moments of concern about how well I'm doing. And I know those hurdles are necessary obstacles along a journey that has shaped me and will continue to. I'm just so grateful that this past year, even during moments of difficulty, my peace and contentment towards motherhood has remained constant. And that might just be one of the sweetest things I'll remember from my first year with this special little girl. 

NAVY AT 1 YEAR

Navy you are such an energetic little girl, walking with encouragement from me or daddy and crawling as fast as your little arms and legs will allow the rest of the time. You have one little tooth and the tiiiiiiiiniest skiff of hair, which we just love. You're as ready to smile as ever, happy and laughing most of the time. You like days out and on the road just as much as quiet days at home. You're a lot like mama and daddy in that way it seems. You're a flexible baby and have been since day one. If you're crying or irritable, it's because you're teething or getting sick...otherwise, you're happy as can be. It honestly surprises us when you are upset because its just so rare. We're so grateful for your sweet disposition. 

While I cook or clean up the kitchen, you empty every kitchen cupboard and play in the pantry happily. It's the sweetest little surprise when I go to get something after you've gone to bed and find one of your little toys stashed underneath the dishcloths. You're a little pro at playing independently these days. But you also love to find your favourite books in the toy box, walk them over to me, crawl up on my lap and cuddle in for some reading time. It's the sweetest and I love that in between so much activity and running around, you still like to come over to me to connect for a little bit. 

You loooooove Lincoln and say 'puppy'! every time you see him. And on that note, you have quite the little vocabulary these days. So far, you say mama, dada, puppy, baby, doggie, numnum (food), nana (banana), bunny (your favourite stuffed animal who you fall asleep holding every night) and donny (for your little electronic donkey named donny haha). 

You're a spicy little girl and you know what you want. We often say you live life with gusto, and it's true! :) I never want to forget what a happy, truly content, energetic, determined, caring, independent and sweet, sweet little girl you were at 1 year old. Love you forever baby girl. 

Poor little lady came down with Roseola during her birthday. So the big party was cancelled and a small little celebration was had at home with mama, dada and Lincoln followed by lots and lots of rest until she got better ♡