What a difference a year makes!

We've gone from this:

To this:

To this:

In one short year.

The pregnancy picture was taken just three days before Addison graced us with her presence on May 20th, 2010. The sweet little pout that she gave us was just minutes after being born and came with the quote from the Dr. "goodluck saying no to that one Daddy" as the nurse passed her to Ryan to hold for the first time. The Dr was right... we both have a hard time saying no to that little pout that she still uses when she wants something. And the beautiful little toddler we have now, that so generously gives all her animals and babies hugs and kisses every day..... how did she get so big in just one year?

So much has changed for our family during Addison's first year. We brought her home and she made us the couple into us the family instantly. She makes us feel like a family, she makes us feel happy and blessed and she makes us laugh constantly. She has given us a true understanding of the words "grateful (to God for sending her to us) and precious (which she most certainly is). She makes Ryan rush home from work as early as he can so he doesn't miss her after bedtime, she makes me more emotional and sentimental, and she makes both of us feel like if she can bring so much joy into our lives, then we can only imagine the joy more children will bring also. She makes us slow down and enjoy every single minute, because she makes us realize how fast time goes, and how important it is to be there for the little things, like story time, bedtime and playtime. Addison has changed our lives entirely in the one year she has been here, and we wouldn't trade any of it for an instant. Not even the sleepless nights.

Addison is the reason I got a new job this year, a job that I love and a job that pays very well and also gives me the freedom to make my own hours so that I can be there for her more than most working moms are able to be. It is so difficult for families these days to be able to exist on one income that it is a complete luxury to stay home and raise your own children. Although I am not able to do that at this point (I so badly wish I could) this new job is the closest I can come right now and is a great compromise in being able to contribute to the household income but still have a lot of time with my daughter.

Because of my new job, it changed our family finances enough to allow us to finally save enough money for our new home! A year ago that wasn't more than a daydream for us, and not only were we able to buy a house, but we built a beautiful house that is very close to our dream house, and we will be very happy here for many years.

Yep, this has been a big year for us. And it all started with Addison's birth. Of course the most beautiful things were happening in between all the life changes.... our little Addie girl was growing and learning so much so fast. Every milestone of hers, from the first smile during her first month, to the first time she stood on her own (just yesterday!) these are the events that I have looked most forward to and have given me the most joy.

We cannot predict what the next year will bring, (and we're happy for the surprises) but we do know that it will be another year of love and laughter and joy with our beautiful, happy, healthy and hilarious toddler.