One year ago today

I almost can't believe I am sitting here typing this.  At this time one year ago today my body was working to deliver a gift so amazing that nothing could have prepared me for it.  I remember at this time in the morning, around 7am, my midwife, Charlee, came over to confirm that I was in active labor.  She told me to go for a walk to make things progress more quickly.  So off Tarren and I set around the neighborhood.  We would walk a few paces and I would have a contraction so I would hang from Tarren's shoulders for support.  People would drive by on their way to work and I can only imagine what they were thinking.  Hopefully they had babies of their own so they understood.  Still, how often do you see a laboring woman on the street on your way to work?  I finally decided I had had enough walking so we went home.  Plus, I was getting cold.  We went back and the next several hours are kind of a blur to me.  I went from laboring in bed to the pool in our room to the shower.  Charlee and Tarren were the only people there with me and they took such good care of me while I concentrated on relaxing while my body worked.  Finally around 2pm it was time for a baby to be born.  We worked and we worked and finally at 310pm Liesel Carmen Condict was placed on my chest; all 9lbs 4oz of beautiful, slimy, wiggling baby.  It was such a miracle.  We had no words to express our awe.  Charlee cleaned us up and put us in bed.  She helped us nurse for the first time.  Liesel was a champ!  She checked Liesel out and weighed and measured her.  Everything went just perfectly.  Tarren went and got us dinner from Sonic.  Then our new family, exhausted from a long day, went to sleep in our own bed.  We knew it was the beginning of a grand adventure.

This is how much she has changed in just one year.  

Liesel, we are so blessed by God to have you as our baby girl.  I never could have imagined that I could have so much love for another person as I have for you.  My heart overflows with it.  You are such a gift to us and I love being your Mama.  Happy Birthday, baby!