One.

I blinked and Amelia is suddenly a whole month old. Its amazing how much a tiny baby can "accomplish" in a month. She is turning into such a beautiful little person. I am so lucky to have this sweet, cuddly little girl in my life.

Here are some of my favorite pictures of Millie's first month of life:

 

 We love you sweet, tiny girl.

dear diary,

I want to need to remember this life that is mine to live along side my beautiful family and friends. This is my outlet. A place to record the memories we make - big and small, the everyday.

With so many miles separating my little family from our loved ones, this little space can serve as a way to shorten the distance by keeping anyone who cares up to date on the happenings in our life.

Dear Amelia,

 Amelia Jane Castellanos

Born:

February 1, 2013

3:37 pm

6 lbs 14 oz

20 in.

Our hearts have never felt so full. So complete. You just arrived, but it feels as if I've known you forever. You are such a sweet blessing, little girl. We love you always and forever.

30 Weeks.

Feeling our little wiggle worm move around is amazing, don't get me wrong, but I've gotten to the point where every movement is uncomfortable and I just want to see her moving around in the world.

The little one in my belly has been very active for the past couple of weeks. Like, she doesn't stop moving. She also gets the hiccups 2-3 times a day. We're measuring at just over 37 inches around. Big ladies over here.

With only 9 weeks (or less!) to go, I've got my mind set on a 12 pack of Pepsi or Coke or Dr. Pepper and half a dozen pink sprinkle donuts. (My most prevalent cravings as of late.)

Dear Sweet Baby, 

This week time I'll keep it short. We can't wait to see you. I want you to keep growing and developing beautifully, but I cannot wait for you to be in my arms. 

P.S. I love your little feet, but my ribs don't quite love their presence. 

Love, Mama.

Over a cup of hot chocolate..

Or orange juice or Dr. Pepper or whatever either of us are craving at the moment...

I would tell you that the holidays are making me extra happy this year.

Maybe it's the anticipation of our first Thanksgiving with our families in California in two years,

or maybe it's knowing that our sweet baby will be joining us in the flesh in the new year.

I would tell you that growing a baby is exhausting,

but it is the single most amazing thing I've ever done, and I don't think anything I do will ever top this.

I would tell you that I am so proud of my husband for the time and effort he puts into his schooling and his commitment to his role in the ROTC is inspiring. I also love how he is able

to provide for our family with his job at a little hospital.

I would probably tell you about the glorious plans I have for our baby's nursery corner in our room. And then I would probably begin to slightly freak out because I'd realize how much we still have to get before our girl gets here in two short months.

And of course, I'd want to know how you were, what your holiday plans are, what is on your mind or on your heart. Because I do want to know and I do care and I love how interacting with one another at this time of year feels especially cozy and all sorts of pleasant. 

Playing catch-up

I've been really, really bad about posting these, but I did remember to drag Matt out to snap a few pictures of my growing body.

Week 24 (Photos via Samantha Gillis Photography)

My old friend Samantha surprised me with her presence at the 

baby shower my sister threw me when we were in California last month.

She gave me a priceless gift of a maternity photo shoot. 

We rounded up a few gifts from the shower and headed down to the river.

I love this girl's work. If you're in the market for a photographer in the 

Fresno area, get in touch with her here.

Week 25

Week 26

(This is my face trying reeeally hard not to be mad at Matt. It obviously didn't work too well.)

Those bad mood pregnancy hormones hit me hard.

The beauty of nature: noted.

Today it snowed. 

All day. 

And this time it was beautiful.

We embraced it and loved it up and down for the

perfect excuse to stay cozy and lazy inside

with homemade chocolate chip cookies.