Growth

I was putting Aerya's 18 month pictures up in the house when I suddenly realized just how big she has gotten. She now really looks like a little girl, so much of our Baby has left her face, her actions and her personality.

In honour of this growth, I will dedicate two (big) pages to what was before. It's amazing not only to see the changes in Aerya, but also in Derek and I (obvious weight jokes aside). When we were first married (so very long ago...) we were not going to have children. We felt our lives were complete, we had each other and Magic, our families and friends. Then slowly over the next two years we came to the realization that we wanted to share our love with a baby. Someone who is a part of each of us, and (as it turns out) still totally herself.

Looking at the pictures makes me laugh, and cringe. (Actually once I got to hospital ones, I had to stop. There's a really good reason your mind makes you forget most of the labour!) The hairstyles along are worth reflecting on. I'm so going back to the style I had at our first Doctor's appointment, and there is NO WAY Derek will be allowed to grow his hair again. Though, there is one great pic of it... Looking back also returned Fuzzy. Magic was with me for 18 years until she passed away the April right before Aerya was born. I really regret that they couldn't meet, but if you knew Magic at all, you'd understand that she would never have stood for anyone (no matter how cute) upstageing her! I just know she would have slept in the crib, not to protect Aerya, but to try and figure out just what kind of hold she has over us, and how she could steal that back from Aerya!

I cannot believe the size of my belly by the end! I remember Chad telling me he was worried about how big I was at six months along. He was sure that the growing must be done. And yet, with each passing day, our little Critter grew more and more. She was born at 8 pounds and 20 inches and Chad really thought I was going to explode if she'd have waited even one day more.

There were so many amazing moments; when we first realized we were pregnant, the first time I felt her move (though at the time we called her a he). Then the first time Derek felt her move. Soon after we were able to watch her move which was creepy and fascinating at the same time. The first time we heard her heartbeat and then later saw her moving inside me.

The journey so far has been nothing short of miraculous. We definately have had our share of scary moments and close calls, but all the difficult times are outweighed 100 to 1 when we see our daughter today. We hit perfection the first time (as we like to say), and are blessed in so many ways to have her as our one-and-only.

We are so greatful for what she has brought to our lives. We could never have imagined what it would be like to be parents. It's something no one can explain to you; you just have to live it yourself.