1 year old!

What a complete whirlwind this past year has been!  Morgan was born Tuesday February 28, 2012, completely changing our lives and opening our hearts.  In July, we moved to a new house, started renting out the old house, and began decorating and getting settled in.  In December I made the difficult, but long overdue decision to finally go back to school and pursue my dreams of becoming a teacher.  It is amazing to think of all the changes that have happened to us as a family in just one year.

Morgan is such an amazing little person.  She is bursting with personality.  Her smile will light up a room and invite perfect strangers to come over and talk to her.  She LOVES being around people.  I call her my social butterfly.  She is such a little chatterbox these days, with her favorite phrase being "What is that?" or "Is that?"  She points at just about anything and asks what it is.  Such an inquisitive little girl she is!  She also frequently says Dada and Momma, and can say cat, dog, oh wow, and bye (while waving).  She blows kisses too, which is so adorable.  Her walking has come a long way in the past couple of weeks.  She still falls a lot, but she is walking much further than she used too.  She will even clap for herself when she makes it several steps.  She has been fighting a terrible cold the past couple of weeks, and has her 3rd ear infection.  The urgent care Dr. said she will likely be needing tubes.  Poor baby!  It makes me feel better to know how routine and common the procedure is, and if it keeps her from being in pain, I'm game! 

With Morgan being a year old, people are now more comfortable to ask Brad and I when we plan on having more kids.  Obviously this is something Brad and I have discussed in great length, and while we know we want another child down the road, we both agree that we are happy as a family of 3 (plus Waylon!) for the time being.  Being parents is both rewarding and challenging, and lately I have been dealing with a lot of "Mommy guilt" for not staying at home.  I feel selfish for deciding to go back to school at times, but remind myself that me becoming a teacher does not make me less of a mom.  Finding that balance between work and family is truly one of life's greatest mysteries.  I feel like if I am doing my schoolwork I am neglecting my child, and when I am with my child, I feel like I am getting behind on my schoolwork.  More often than not I find myself in the latter situation, but regardless, I am still working on finding that balance. 

On a lighter note, Morgan's birthday party is coming up on Sunday and I couldn't be more excited!  We are having her 1 year pictures done tomorrow morning by the amazing mother-daughter team LUCY RAE PHOTOGRAPHY, then I plan on getting busy on cleaning and food prep for the party.  It should be a great turn out!  Morgan will have so much fun showing off for everyone.  I know many people do elaborate "themes" for birthday parties, and I am attempting to follow the theme trend.  We are going to have some Princess decor and lots of pink.  Woohoo!

Ok well it's going to be a busy weekend, and my poor hubby is already passed out on the couch.  Off to bed I go!  But before I leave, here are a few pictures of my beautiful little birthday girl :