My First Rodeo

She's Officially One

If you’ve ever heard the saying “this is not my first rodeo,” you know it’s used by someone to explain that they know exactly what they’re doin', they’ve done this before, and they don’t need any help!

Well, Aaliyah, for me and you, the correct expression is “this is actually my first rodeo.” 😂 

And so it was declared the theme of your first birthday party! 

When I started planning Aaliyah’s 1st birthday party, I saw so many cute themes, but this one just stood out to me. It was a funny way of describing her first year of life. A huge milestone for both of us because, for one, she made it from little newborn to big one year old 🥹❤️ and, for me, it meant I survived motherhood for a year! It was a crazy ride, but we made it in one piece 🤠. 

If it’s one thing Aaliyah loves, it’s to be sung to, and she loves the happy birthday song (and the attention it comes with lol)! She smiled the whole time we sung to her, and she clapped along when everyone clapped and cheered for her. It was adorable! 

Roadtrip

On her actual birthday, I took Aaliyah to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. I've wanted to take her since she was 6 months old, but it just didn’t happen, which was fine because she wouldn't have enjoyed it as much. I had the day off from work, we slept in, we slowly got ready for the day, and then we drove up and got to stroll through the aquarium to enjoy everything at our own pace. Aaliyah pointed at everything and gasped, and she was amazed at the sea life. It was a good time!

Just like that, the day is over...

When we got back home, we got in bed, Aaliyah fell asleep and we cuddled like otters. I reflected on the night she was born. To be honest, in all the commotion of the first few weeks of postpartum, and then the commotion of the past few months, I haven't even had a chance to look back on that night!

It's only been a year, but at the same time it seems like so much longer. I remember my water breaking and being nervous but relieved to just get birth out of the way and meet this kid. It ended up being such an amazing experience for us(thanks to my epidural haha). What came after was probably the most difficult few months that I've ever experienced. The all nighters I pulled in college PALE in comparison to the cluster feeding and all nighters you pull with a baby. Never have I ever felt as tired and unlike myself, while also feeling like it was exactly where I needed to be and what I needed to be doing. 

Aaliyah, like Sonny said to Cher, I got you, babe! 

XOXO 

Jocelyn