Kevin came in from walking the dog last night and announced, “it’s snowing!” Sure enough, when I ran outside, I was gently covered in large, soft flakes. It was the kind of snow that seemed to slide quietly from a muted grey sky. The snowflakes were fluffy and almost warm. No wind in sight so everything settled with a sigh. It was especially beautiful to watch the snowflakes as they passed the colorufl Christmas lights. As I sit here typing, the snow has started up again. Still large gentle flakes that seen to float toward the ground. I can’t wait for the munchkin to wake from her nap so we can have her first snow day!

As we lay in front of the TV together this morning, I couldn’t help but marvel at what 2003 has brought me. I found out I was pregnant with Mini-Me on the day after Christmas so this last year has really been the year of the baby for me. I remember being so awfully sick during the holidays and watching with wonder (and horror) as I began to fill out my maternity clothes. I remember ultrasounds with Kevin (and my parents) when I got my first glimpse of my baby and the joy of learning she was a girl! Designing and painting the room with my mom, shopping for a crib with Kevin’s dad and Carla, and the fun of playing the name game. Of course there was the agony of waddling around the neighborhood 9 months pregnant in 100 degree heat with the dog but there were also lazy afternoons spent in the hammock under the elm tree swaying in the shade and reading, reading, reading.

And then the big day! Leina arrived and everything went crazy. Visiting family and friends, exhausting nights of waking every two hours, holding her in aching arms while she slept. The long night of fussy crying as well as the joys of her first smile, her first laugh, or listening to her coo and babble as she woke for the morning.

It’s unbelievable how much my life has changed in a mere 12 months. Life before Leina seems so long ago and, somehow, so empty and flat. She’s become the light of our universe, our little girl. We revolve around her, mesmerized by her every coo and lie in bed at night asking ourselves, “how lucky are we?”

Ah, 2003 was a great year for the McLaughlin household. Lets hope 2004 can match it!