A “Newborn” according to my friend Google…is a brand new babe up until 2 months old. TWO MONTHS! That’s it.

Do you know how much happens in twp months? The amount of diapers, the amount of sleepless nights, the amount of snacks I consumed at the same rate as my Venti cups of coffee. Even with all that though, it flies by. During more than half of that “newborn” stage you are most definitely delirious and sleep deprived. Part of it is filled with many many naps, and the other part is filled with visits from every person you never thought would ever visit your house.

“Why is she saying all this…”

I am saying all of this because somehow you blink and you’re putting your 5 year old on that big yellow bus to send her off to Kindergarten. I am saying this because you will be tying her shoes realizing your entire hand can fit inside her shoe now, not just your thumb. I want you to stop to remember the tiny moments, the moments where you can scoop up your newborn in one arm…instead of now where I throw out my back trying to carry my 45lb 5 year old up to bed.

Six months later…

you still have an infant. But ideally, sleep is longer, your energy is higher, and man oh man those baby belly laughs are definitely funnier. Things change with a baby in the house…you find yourself doing things you never used to. Like propping your babe up on the couch with pillows and watching her slowly sink down until her overalls are eating her adorable chubby cheeks…and this goes on and on for longer than ever imagined. She rolls over and glances up at you with that growing crooked smile…the smile where you can tell she still has no clue which muscles make it happen but she’s trying so hard to show you how much she loves you.

One year. This is that moment when you blink your eyes a few times and say ….”What the heck?

1. Why does time all of a sudden move so fast? (I wished it moved this fast in college…something happened to Father Time since then.)
2. Did I MAKE that little human? No way…I couldn’t have. She is so ridiculously cute. Can someone please verify that this is my child I was snuggling 12 months ago?…

I know that might sound dramatic…but if you haven’t reached that point yet- you will. And you will ask yourself the same questions and you WILL have the most ridiculously cute child in the world. I think that is God’s way of making us all feel a little famous. You know that feeling when you walk down the sidewalk holding your toddlers hand and someone smiles at you and your kid and you think to yourself…

“Yup… you can check her out. That’s a one of a kind original right here. Hand made by me, trained by me, and also somehow I kept her alive for 12 months. If you want my autograph let me just buckle her in quick, so she doesn’t bolt across the parking lot, then I’ll give you my John Hancock. “

If you’ve reached your child’s first birthday, Congratulations Mama. You have changed this world, as small as they may seem, this child is going to do great things with her smile, with her giggle, and with her desire to learn.

And if you’re just beginning this journey called Motherhood, I urge you to stop and view the small moments. Capture them, save them, protect them with everything inside you. The smallest seeds are the ones that grow into the most beautiful flowers, with your love and support. These are the memories that matter.

*If you want to know more about the Grow With Me Session, just like Lily had here, please don’t hesitate to reach out and chat. I’ll tell you how much it means to me personally, let alone how many special moments we’ve captured for our #WSfamilyforever. To see more cute pictures head over to our family site!

-We shoot for the quiet moments that speak louder than the rest. –

Love ❤️ Amy