Birthday Girl

I'm a little late on this one. Nora Tess' first birthday was yesterday; July 29th. It is impossible to believe that it has already been one year since she blessed our lives!! The changes have been rapid fire and I've loved every minute of it.


One year ago!
My little Monster this morning; 1 year later

She has such a fun spirit and I hope that she will always be a little fun and carefree. There's always a thin line to everything you wish for you children, I've come to realize. I want her to be a little carefree and always fun, but responsible and intuitive. I want her to be confident and self-assured, but not proud or boastful. I want her to be athletic and tough, but I also want her to be creative and sensitive and love to read! The list goes on and on and I know that it will be my lifes mission to try to encourage all of these things in my little girl. And she definitely is a little GIRL!! haha. I was a little nervous when I found out we were having a girl. I love girls but I wasn't sure I would be the best mother for a girl (Thankfully we have great Aunts to help out!!!) I'm not super girly, although I find I am drawn to more feminine things now more then ever. But I shouldn't have worried because no matter how much I dress N.T in Wranglers and t-shirts (she does get plenty of time in dresses etc. because they're so stinking cute) she is still all girl. She loves necklaces and bracelets. I hardly ever wear makeup, but she was totally into Aunt Jodi's Makeup and somehow knew it went on her face. She thinks that she needs chapstick on her lips all the time. She giggles and screeches/screams like a little girl, and she's even starting to dance like a girl - all graceful hand movements instead of the ghetto-bob. And you know what I've found myself thinking about all this; I love it!! I love that she is snuggly and sensitive and loves to give kisses and play with her dollies and jewelry. And just as much, or more, loves to pet and ride the horses, or sit for an hour, or more, just to watch dad shoe a horse. I love that she always picks out bright colors and thinks that Huckleberry (the horse)'s name is 'Duck', and that every dog's name is Tonka. I love that she has her own personality. I even love that she is trying to exercise her own independence and agency. Granted it is frustrating at times saying, "no, thank you" for the billionth time in a single day about the same thing. But, I love that she just has to try it again to see if I'm going to stick to my guns. I love everything about my sweet girl and I only hope that I can help her through the rough patches, as well as share in all the joys, in life through her years to come. I love you baby girl.
Birthday Girl Kisses:
Kisses for Daddy: