You Are My Sunshine

There's one toy we've been playing with pretty often that plays the tune of You Are My Sunshine, therefore, it gets stuck in my head for hours. Thanks to that, I find myself singing the song to Ariana, and it's starting to become one of my songs for her.

This year, I'm so thankful for this girl's presence in our lives. 2018 has been all about her, and she's more than we ever imagined.

I'm thankful for a healthy pregnancy and for her health so far. I'm thankful for the time I've been able to spend at home with her, building a bond I will cherish forever. I'm thankful that she loves to hold my finger, and for the way she stares at me.

I absolutely love watching her grow and learn and develop (and watching her hair grow at record pace!)

I'm thankful for everything she's taught me in two short months, from changing up a routine I was so used to, to learning how to function on 5-6 hours of sleep and care for another human. My priorities have certainly shifted, especially while I am home full-time with her (my blogging time has seriously dwindled, and I've appreciated the break, although I'm ready to recharge and start writing again.)

I'm thankful even for the hard moments—for the sleepless nights as a newborn, the inconsolable cries and the tummy time fussiness. It's all helping me to become more confident in my new role and learn how to better understand her. I always try to remember to take it one day at a time, and each day is a little more progress.

Knock on wood, she's been sleeping for long stretches at night lately, and I'm very thankful for that, ha!

I'm thankful for my husband and his support throughout my pregnancy and our parenthood journey. He has been amazing to both of us, and I'm forever grateful be on this ride with him. I absolutely love watching the two of them build a bond.

Ariana, thank you for being you.