The Notelpats: 1 year

June 30th of 2010 was a day I won't forget! I woke up having contractions. We had a scheduled doctor appointment at 9am anyway so we decided to go there first. After they confirmed my labor we drove over to Good Shepherd Medical Center where they broke my water and got the process going! At 7pm my baby girl was here! 6lb 8 oz and 19 1/2 inches long.

February 26th of 2010 was a day I won't forget either! It was our sonogram day where we were going to find out the gender. I was convinced I was having another boy. Jeff and Colin were there too. Then they showed us "the part." Right away I could tell what kind of part that was and I said, "That's a girl isn't it?!?" "Yes it is!" said the nurse. But I was suprisingly excited! Part of the reason was because I could use my sister's name for the middle name. That was important to me.

I have always told people that I wanted a house full of rowdy boys. I never disliked girls, but just didn't have a desire to have one like I wanted boys. But it is awesome having a girl!

I do have to say that it is a bit intimidating to me when Carley is around other little girls at church or wherever whose momma's are amazing and know how to dress them perfectly with the perfect matching bow. My poor girl always has food on her face, and boogers hanging out of her nose, and has pulled out her pigtails so that she looks like she has horns on her head. But she's my girl, and she's a happy girl!

I love her personality and sometimes even wish I was like her! ...I know, I know...she's only 1. But she's just so cool. She's usually happy. She's very social and loves people right away. You don't have to do or say anything to her first...she'll just start waving and smiling at you. She loves to be around people, but she's also content playing alone. She knows what she wants and communicates it well. She doesn't make you read her mind! (How's that for a woman? haha) And the one thing I love about her that I am eternally greatful to her for...is that she SLEEPS ALL NIGHT LONG! The girl loves her sleep.

Even though it was just a little over a year ago, I have a hard time remembering what life was like before we had her. The other day Colin found a picture of the 3 of us before we were even thinking about having Carley. He looked puzzled and said, "Where's Carley?" It made me so happy. I remember at one point being so worried about him getting used to not being the only kid, and I was so worried about being a mother of 2 rather than 1. And now, its just the norm of our family. And I love it.

Carley just a few minutes after she was born!