Our baby is one!

Our beautiful baby Phoebe was one last week (1/8/08). We had a beautiful few days. The day before her birthday was our LLL picnic, hosted by a member who has a gorgeous home and garden with stunning views. It was wonderful to catch up with people. The children enjoyed themselves and the mothers did too. Amazingly the rain held off - until 1.30pm which was when we'd all finished anyhow!

On Phoebe's actual birthday we went for a pub lunch, then in the afternoon we had a little party with two close friends and their children and all the grandparents - all six of them as Paul's parents are divorced and remarried. We played games and picniced in the garden. Phoebe loved everything and smiled and chattered all day long.

I've been doing a lot of reminiscing about the past year. Remembering Phoebe's birth still gives me a sense of euphoria and pride. If I never have another baby I'll have gone out on a high - a peaceful home waterbirth was such a contrast to the two highly medicalised births I had for Lucy and Anna. Having Phoebe my way in my own space has given me tremendous confidence and strength.....deep down I had that strength already I just didn't know it. Thank goodness we had a fabulous birth and that I could draw from that because the time that followed really pushed this family to it's limits. We're finding our balance again after one thing then another. I've learnt a lot about myself.

It's certainly been a rollercoaster of a year!