1.31.2014

4 years

yesterday, my baby completed her fourth trip around the sun.  what a ride these four years have been.  while I now consider myself a somewhat seasoned mama, and I once again am well acquainted with the beautiful thing called sleep, I continue to be amazed and surprised daily and it is clear I'll be learning alongside her for the rest of my years.  

allow me a brief trip down memory lane:

days before her birth

hours after her birth

first birthday

second birthday

third birthday
and now here we are, at present.  there isn't much baby left in there, and I'm savoring every last bit of it before it's gone for good.  which isn't to say I "enjoy every minute" of motherhood, because- well.... that just wouldn't be true.  but it is to say that I've learned (am learning) about letting go of (my own) expectations, that there is no such thing as a perfect (or even close) mother, and that in the end, as long as there is love and respect coming and going both ways, it's all good.

we've all but wrapped up the birthday celebrations, which will conclude tomorrow afternoon with a lunch with friends young and old at one of our favorite little restaurants in town.  but so far, turning four has been....



a handmade book gifted to her by her beeba (that's the name she made up for my mom once she was able to talk and let us know 'grandma' just wasn't cutting it),


happily looking at birthday cards, and showing them to her baby....

a birthday morning of waffles and gift opening (mostly books, and a couple games)








an afternoon trip to a favorite local coffee shop for hot cocoa,


a stop afterwards to pick up cupcakes (I'm saving the homemade carrot cake for tomorrow's lunch) and pizzas for dinner and dessert,


and finally, a viewing of Mary Poppins with popcorn, paused to skype in some birthday singing with nana and pipop before the cupcakes were consumed.


love, love, love this little teacher of mine.  may I have the patience and kindness, humor and strength to continue mothering her in a way that leaves me feeling good at the end of the day more often than not.

happy birthday, sweet one.
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21 comments:

  1. Jennifer GoodwinFebruary 1, 2014 at 10:01 AM

    I can't believe she's four, and that's it's been that long since I've seen her! She is beautiful and her hair is so long! I remember when you couldn't keep anything in her hair, and her bangs kept getting in her way. ;) Please tell Claire that her great auntie Jen loves her much, as does her whole family. Love you!

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    1. amandaFebruary 1, 2014 at 8:20 PM

      it's been since Grandpa's 80th, yes? we need to fix that soon. I know- it is crazy long (she hasn't had a hair cut yet) and goes down to her bum when it's wet!
      will do, Jen- we love you, too! xoxo

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  2. Lady CordeliaFebruary 1, 2014 at 11:15 AM

    beautiful.
    xoxoxoxo

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  3. MichelleFebruary 1, 2014 at 12:28 PM

    Happy birthday to your sweet girl:-)

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  4. LisaFebruary 1, 2014 at 1:38 PM

    I feel so similarly about so much of motherhood and where our little people are at (ours are so close in age!). Happy birthday to your sweet girl and happy birth day and four years of mamahood to you!

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    1. amandaFebruary 1, 2014 at 8:22 PM

      thank you, Lisa. when is your son's birthday? and you're getting ready to celebrate another birth day very soon, right? wishing you the best with the transition from a threesome to a foursome~
      cheers from NC

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    2. LisaFebruary 4, 2014 at 8:25 AM

      He turned 4 in November! And yup - any day now! Thank you :)

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  5. karenFebruary 1, 2014 at 3:18 PM

    Happy birthday to you!!!

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  6. Tracey ~ CloverFebruary 1, 2014 at 5:46 PM

    I loved the trip down memory lane Amanda, your wee one is a beautiful little girl. I just got back home from spending the afternoon with my five year old granddaughter, she is my heart.

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    1. amandaFebruary 1, 2014 at 8:23 PM

      thank you, Tracey. no doubt there's something special about that grandma/granddaughter bond- I can see it loud and clear when she's with my mom or her nana!

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  7. julie.February 1, 2014 at 6:42 PM

    how sweet. they fly out of babyhood, don't they? my oldest will be 10(!) this year & my youngest will be 1. i find myself constantly shifting between looking ahead & riding the brakes. i love your statement, "may I have the patience and kindness, humor and strength to continue mothering her in a way that leaves me feeling good at the end of the day more often than not." amen! happy birthday!

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    1. amandaFebruary 1, 2014 at 8:27 PM

      it certainly seems that they do, yes! while I find it hard and bittersweet to move past (and through) the stages at times, I'm grateful there's always that looking ahead and wondering what's next....
      thank you~

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  8. Farmgirl SusanFebruary 2, 2014 at 12:41 PM

    What a wonderful birthday celebration! And what a wonderful, beautiful girl. Happy, happy to all! :)

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  9. nicholeFebruary 3, 2014 at 9:56 AM

    happy birthday sweet claire! it's been such a joy to watch you grow these years through your mama's lovely blog!

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    1. amandaFebruary 3, 2014 at 5:17 PM

      I will tell her you said happy birthday, Nichole~ she loves looking at pictures of you and your family online. I feel the same about Bea ;)
      xoxo

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  10. renee ~ heirloom seasonsFebruary 6, 2014 at 9:06 AM

    Such sweetness! Happy birthday (though belated) to you both! She has such a similar look to two of my girls in that first birthday photo.
    You've definitely got it right, lots of learning and wonderfulness ahead!

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thanks for taking the time to read and comment~

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