Family is coming next week so we spent a quiet birthday on the beach to celebrate one year with this beautiful girl. We just spent the day reflecting and soaking in every moment with her.

Someone asked me earlier what was the most surprising thing about learning to adjust to motherhood in the first year… and I think it’s that my number one teacher each day is Isabelle. When I was pregnant, I wasn’t sure what books to read, videos to watch, or how I was going to learn to be a mom, but she’s my teacher. She guides me and shows me how to be patient, strong, and resilient. when I have days that I’m not sure how I’ll pull it off, she gives me strength that I never knew I was capable of. When she holds my hand, she’s actually showing me the way. Every day I’m learning and I’m so grateful to have this little leader in my life.

I’m so grateful for her coming into my life, choosing me to be her mommy, and showing me my true purpose and strength. Here’s to another year of playful mornings, beach days, adventures together as a family, and 365 more nights of reading and falling asleep singing crazy love.