One Year Old, Almost

My little girl has lived on this great earth for 365 days (tomorrow). She has experienced spring, summer, winter, and fall. She has lived through her first 4th of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. She has seen the lake in the summertime, watched volleyball and football games, touched the snow (that was thankfully sparse this year), and watched the ducks return to the pond this spring. It has been a good year, rich and full.

As I contemplate all that has transpired in the last year, it is nearly impossible to articulate how much one little life has changed my world. Yes, she has changed my world in obvious ways. I do not wake up at 6:00 to shower and drag three tubs of half-graded student work out the door anymore. I spend much more time at home, which was never something I was very good at before. I can't run out of the house in three minutes flat holding nothing but my wallet and keys. I rarely lose track of time these days, as I have a constant reminder of nap or meal time (I lose track of my mind, in general, instead). I don't take showers nearly as much as I want to. When I do, I rarely dry my hair or even have time to do anything with it. And my house is rarely put together (not that it was really put together before - I just wasn't around enough to notice!).

This little girl has changed my life in less obvious ways too. To start, my definition of what is a productive day has certainly changed. I am learning to put my agenda aside to just enjoy time spent with Clara, even when little is being accomplished (in a checklist sort of way). My feeling of worth is being reshaped as I have stepped away from what I have known my whole life (work), and what I've realized held much of my identity. I am also learning that despite its daily challenges, motherhood is one of the most precious gifts God created. Before Clara arrived, I knew I'd enjoy being a mom, but I wasn't expecting to be so overwhelmed by it all. It is kind of like being hit by a truck (or what I imagine getting hit by a truck would feel like). Unexpected. Fast. Overwhelming. Life changing. I know motherhood is not exactly something you can prepare for - I guess I was just shocked by how much I love it. And I didn't even realize I had low expectations.

Since I have turned this "Clara" post into a post mostly about ME (kind of ridiculous, I know), I will go ahead and list just a few more things about ME. I'll just stick with the "how motherhood has changed me" theme. I may not have grown in my ability to differentiate instruction or used formative and summative assessments in new/exciting ways, but I have a few new skills/abilities...

I CAN...

*carry large amounts of awkward and heavy items/bodies using all hands, shoulders, wrists, elbows, and chins (singular).

*tell you many interesting facts about cloth diapers, baby food making, ribbon-lined alligator clip bows, and no-sew tutus

*sing 42 Kindermusik songs by heart, as well as a variety of "lap sit" songs/chants

*make a latte (and perform many other lesser important tasks) one-handed.

*coerce a less-than one-year-old to eat nearly any kind of despised vegetable with just a little applesauce and a lot of deception.

It is an impressive list, I know. Just looking at it makes me excited about all the things I'll add during Clara's 2nd year of life ;). And although the changes over the course of this next year may not feel as earth shattering as the last 365 days, so many adventures of motherhood lie ahead. I can hardly wait.

P.S. There will be much, much more on this landmark occasion, I assure you. I have just spent two incredibly long nights making a ridiculous fondant cake that looks like the leaning tower of pisa. After six hours in the kitchen, I have had too much time to contemplate the joys of motherhood...