She's one! It's hard to believe it was one year ago today I went through the most grueling labor experience I never imagined possible. I talked to a lot of moms beforehand. For the most part, everyone said, "get an epidural and you'll be fine." That was my plan. I honestly wasn't worried. I've come to realize labors are as individual as fingerprints, no two stories are the same. My labor story was incredibly  intense and painful. It lasted 52 hours. No one could have prepared me for the fear, pain, and agony I would go through bringing this little being into the world just as no one could prepare me for the happiness, joy, and unbelievable amount of love I would feel when she was put in my arms for the first time.   Watching my tiny helpless infant grow over this last year has been an absolute miracle. In one year I've watched my little girl coo, smile, and giggle. I've watched her learn to roll over, sit up by herself, say Dada and sometimes Mama. I've watched her learn to crawl, feed herself, stand, and pull herself up. I've watched my little girl express herself- showing us how big she is, clapping her hands, and most recently using her finger to make funny sounds with her … [Read more...]