ONE

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I will remember the moment I found out I was pregnant with every one of my girls. It’s etched in my brain, and even just recalling it brings butterflies to my stomach. It is such a surreal feeling to go from the second of thinking you are just “you” to realizing you have a little life growing inside. With each positive test, I screamed out loud, because even if you are expecting to see that little plus sign (or hoping real hard) it is still a shocker when it is there staring you in the face.

With Hannah, it was slightly more shocking than the others. I called Bob right away, and he just laughed hysterically. No words, just laughing. I hung up and had to call him back, not really sure how to take his response.

A few weeks later, on the 4th of July, we announced it to the world. Well, to the Facebook world.

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I had the usual bouts of morning sickness, but nothing like what I experienced with Madison. For that I was thankful. I popped out WAY quicker than I did with her sisters, and if one more person asked me if I was overdue 2 months before my due date I might have cried.  (picture below courtesy of my mom).

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My birth story was a nightmare, and I will spare you the long details and just say she arrived, safe & sound, days (literally) after they started the induction. We were lucky enough to have a fantastic birth photographer, Jade, there to capture it all. Her birth story & pictures can be found here.

We had no idea just what this little girl would add to our world. The second she arrived we fell in love all over again, and our family was truly complete.

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Her sisters were smitten, as well. They immediately jumped into the role of mommy’s helper, a little too much at times. There was no jealousy, no anger, just love. Lots and lots of love.

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We had our “days”, adjusting to a life where the adults are outnumbered by the kids. Days where Bob would come home and the house would be just pure chaos, or he would find me crying in my room as I struggled nursing. There were times where I questioned my ability to do it “all”.  That’s what grandmas, papas, sisters, aunties, uncles, great grammys and some wonderful friends are for. And we are so blessed to have so many close by.

As the year flew by, I tried to take in every little moment with my last baby that I could. Her first steps, first tooth, first word. They were all the last of the “firsts”.

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As I look down at her sleeping beside me right now it’s hard to remember life without her. At the same time, it seems like just yesterday we were anticipating her arrival, trying to guess which one of her sisters she would look like (clearly she is Sophia’s twin) and how much she would weigh (let’s not even go there). In just a few short hours the newborn I could snuggle in the nook of my neck will be one.

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Hannah Reese, you have added SO SO much to our world. I love you more than I ever thought possible. Happy 1st birthday my baby girl!!

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