ten reasons why...

this st. patty's day will be quite different this year because miss stella is in the picture.  :)  this year, andrew and i have our own little munchkin to take to the parade and dance to flogging molly with in our living room.  in the spirit of st. patty's day, i have been reflecting on what has made me lucky to be stella's mama.  i often look into those wondering eyes and think, "how did i ever get so lucky, baby girl?"  

here are ten reasons why 

i'm luckier than a four leaf clover 

to be stella's mama:

#1 i am lucky because stella loves to laugh, yell, and scream for fun and is loud when she does it.  she is also super ticklish and adores being tickled just to giggle.  her dada and i know her laugh-out-loud spots!  baby girl is sure loving the echo of her voice nowadays.  not so sure if our neighbors/store patrons feel the same. oh well. 

#2 i am lucky because stella reminds me that it is okay to be messy, silly, and to slow down once in awhile.  it's okay if one rubs avocado in her hair and leaves it there for, say, a few hours.  if anything, it moisturizes.  and as for her books and toys, i'd be sad if they were never dispersed throughout her nursery. 

#3 i am lucky because stella is healthy.  it was hard to imagine a plump, sturdy, and strong little girl when we sat watching her throughout those heartbreakingly difficult days in the nicu.  then, she was so fragile and thin.  now, she is resilient, sturdy, and unwavering.  you go stella, you knock down that tower! 

#4 i am lucky because stella would rather be held, snuggled, and rocked, rather than sleep in her crib.  however, when she does fall asleep in her crib she gets creative as you can see above...

#5 i am lucky because stella looks an awful lot like her daddy with her thick hair and beautiful almond-shaped eyes.  this dada/bebe bond is a beautiful one. oh, they make mah heart just melt! 

#6 i am lucky because of the amazement andrew and i feel when we think {literally everyday} that stella is a indeed a little human that we indeed made.  wow.

#7 i am lucky because stella loves to try new foods and will eat anything {including creamed spinach!}.  this is more like a blessing! 

#8 i am lucky because stella is extremely independent and very curious.  she navigates our apartment like a pro, figuring out how to get around, under, over, and through anything she wants.  the world is her playground. oh, and she is sort of figuring out how to hold that bottle from this post...but not to drink, oh no, just to shake around a bit. oh, baby girl!  

  

#9 i am lucky because stella loves being outside.  for the past few days we have ventured to the park.  even though we brought just a few toys, baby girl was content just sitting and playing for 2+ hours on our little quilt amidst all the growing green grass.  she mostly observed the doggies and watched the kites flying overhead in the sky.  

#10 i am so lucky because we all have each other. always and forever, in circles.