Happy 1st Birthday Daniel!

My sweet little man has turned one today!  Here is a picture of him eating his birthday cake

I am seriously in love with my children, but my love for little man is growing and growing as he is getting older and cuter.  He likes to give kisses with an open mouth, nice wet ones, and he likes to put his head on me to rest (any part of my body will do, as long as it is momma).

He is pulling himself to stand, and climbing up stairs.  He tries very hard to go down but has not yet figured out that he needs to turn around.  I would estimate that it will take him a few more months for that kind of discovery, based on what I remember with Emma.

On most days, I cannot believe my luck that I have these two small kids running around the house and driving us crazy.  I mean hello, I am supposed to be infertile hahaha.  In fact I really really am infertile now.  I did some spring cleaning and came across a packet of sanitary pads, which I happily gifted to my friend.  I feel very free without the stupid uterus.  Thank you Daniel for this unexpected bonus that your birth has brought me :)

I am not writing quite as much because I am incredibly busy with work and exercise.  I have become very fit, fitter than I have ever thought I would be in this lifetime.  I just ran 15.5 km (9 miles?) Saturday, and the fun thing is that I do it every Saturday, and have been doing it throughout winter, in the snow.  It is now a fair bit easier actually not to have to fight the snow with each step (we are just going through the melt, and the roads are clear).  If you told me I would be doing forested trail runs in deep winter at -35C I would have laughed, but I did, and I will continue to do them.  I swim twice a week, 2 km each time, and I run three times a week, for a total of about 30 km right now, but increasing steadily each week towards 40 km. I just got my bike out too, and will road bike soon.  I am preparing for a triathlon olympic size in July, and for a half marathon in the mountains in August.

I love being so active, but I would never have been able to do it without my husband's support.  He truly believes that I need time to myself, and has figured that if I exercise I am less anxious and worried, which is a double reason to do it.  MrH has been a wonderful support during this past year, and during my whole marriage to him.  Having two small kids is no small feat, even though we love them more than life itself.  He has done it before, and knows how to put it into perspective for me.

What a year this has been!  one year ago, little Daniel and myself were struggling for life, and now we are thriving and happy and surrounded by love and support.  Thank you God! that is all that I can say.   And hopefully many more of these wonderful years will come.

My son, may you grow to be a good man, an honest, kind, generous and loving man, the way that your father is, and the way that I try to be (minus the man part I mean).  It is a huge joy and honour to be your mother.  You were the last embryo, and honestly took me by such happy surprise when you implanted.  The fact that you are healthy and happy and smart and everything under the sun today is proof that amazing things happen in life.  I hope you will carry this thought with you wherever you go (and of course don't go too far from momma, my love).