by Michelle Stein posted in Parenting

My youngest child will celebrate her first birthday in a couple of weeks. I see the date clearly circled on our calendar, but my mind can't seem to fully grasp the concept. Is this really happening"
She's kiddo number three for me, so I'm no stranger to this particular milestone. On one hand, I'm excited to discover the person she's becoming. She's growing and changing so much every single day. Still, she's my BABY. It's a bittersweet, pensive time for me.
Here are 7 thoughts I have as my baby turns 1 year old:
1) Already"! HOW could this have happened" Wasn't I snuggling this deliciously chunky newborn baby ball like, yesterday" At the risk of sounding cliche, the days really are long. But the year(s) are so short.
2) She's not a baby anymore. *Sobs* I'll officially have a toddler on my hands. The categorical change is enough to bring tears to my eyes. I have toddler. A TODDLER I SAY. She'll always be my baby, though.
3) Longest. Year. Ever. The first 12 months are the hardest, in my opinion. The sleep deprivation. The breastfeeding/bottles/baby food/constant diaper changes/blowouts/spitting up. It's overwhelmingly exhausting. (Not that the toddler years are a walk in the park ...) Still. In a way, hitting that 1-year mark is a huge sigh of relief.

4) Does a 1-year-old really need a birthday party" You know, one she'll never remember. I understand a baby's first birthday party is basically celebrati...