18 Months, how they fly!

So my sweet little Savannah turned 18 months old today. Its extra special because not only is she celebrating her little mile marker today, but It's my Daddy's Birthday! Two of my very favorite people in the world have that little connection and I love it.

Its crazy to think that 18 months ago right now, I was in agonizing pain, had already gone to the hospital a few times with my contractions 2 minutes apart, and was failing in keeping down my taco bell chicken bowl just waiting for some sign that the time had finally come. It did eventually and 10 hours from now it will be exactly 18 months that my sweet little girl was seeing the world for the first time.

I constantly reflect on how fast the time has gone, the things I am pretty sure I have done right, and the things I have done wrong. Over all I think she is turning out almost perfect. She is hitting the tantrum stage and has a bit of an attitude to go with her very independent mind, but I personally think its a good thing.

I am very happy that I hardly put her down for the first several months of her life. I made her my priority and there was nothing more important to me than forming the bond between us. It may have brought on a little less sleep for me, but I personally believe that whether you try for, or are randomly blessed with a baby, your life has to change. Its never going to be the same, and as long as your putting that baby first and making sure it knows you love them, then your doing your job. I remember spending hours talking to her, holding her, doing tummy time, and reading to her, among other things. Though you are never fully ready for motherhood, you have to do it. For me, Savannah's development, both physically and mentally was more important than crazy schedules and routines. I filled the house with pictures of her and toys, making sure she knew from the beginning, that life was now about her.

One person I think I am the most grateful for is my mother through this past year and a half. Not many people know, but my mom was my Child Development and Family Dynamics teacher in high school. I think due to my mom's wide education on different child rearing methods and philosophies, that I was fortunate to learn not the fads, but the facts (I think every mother needs to look over Erikson's stages of development and how important the first year is on a person's phychosocial development).

I never heard what I needed or did not need to do when I had Savannah, I just had support in making sure I followed my intuition. For thousands of years it has been the best source of wisdom for stable mothers. I never listened to the books when it came to what I needed to do, just Savannah's Dr, and occasional advice from my mother and sisters. I am lucky I have a husband who trusts my instincts and knowledge of our child, family support I was not too stubborn to take, and most importantly an amazing little toddler. It's crazy to think that in 5 and a half months I will be going through it all again, but I think I am ready.