Happy (almost) Birthday!

In a matter of hours, February will come to an end and we'll be able to flip the calendar page to March. In a matter of hours, Thursday will turn into Friday, and we will all be one day closer to the weekend. In a matter of hours, my sweet chunk-a-lunk-a baby turns one. 

Sigh. 

I've done this before. Twice before, in fact. For some reason, this particular milestone is hitting my heart in just the right spot. My poor co-worker Jennifer, saw waaaaay too many tears today. She finally stopped asking about Hattie's birthday party and gave me a quick "I can't wait to see pictures!" before she darted out of the office at the end of the day. There is something about the fact that this may very well be the last "first" birthday we get to celebrate in the Salmon house... (yes... you heard right. It MAY be the last....) 

Sure, in the morning her fingers will still be fat and dimpled. Her neck will have that awesome smell... like a mixture of baby lotion and yeast dough. Her hair will still be wild and unruly. Her goofy grin will still show off her eight little jack-o-lantern teeth. Her fat little toes will still curl up when I try to put her shoes on. But... she will be one. 

The weekly emails I get from babycenter.com (yes... I still get them!) will change from "Your baby should be  able to....." to "Your toddler should be able to...." Such a small, small difference- but it's monumental to me. Tomorrow I will once again pack away my copy of "Great Expectations: Baby's First Year" that I read faithfully on the first of each month, anxious to be reminded of what milestones to look forward to. I'm scared and heartbroken that I might not ever need to pull that book out again. I know I should be excited about what's to come... and I am! It has been so incredible to watch the older girls grow into these awesome little people.... and I am so excited to see what type of awesome little person Hattie will grow into. But I would be a complete liar if I told you I wasn't going to miss the "baby" stage- the newborn, milk-breath, scrunched up, squeakiness of a newborn to the bananas-in-her-hair, crawling-into-the-kitchen-drawers fearlessness of an almost one year old. I love, love, love being a momma to babies. It just all goes too fast. And that makes me sad. 

Sigh... again. 

I love you with parts of my heart I didn't even know existed until the day you were born. 

I can say without a doubt that you were the best surprise I've ever received. 

Happy, happy birthday, Miss Hattie Irene.