12.01.2007

oh sweet soul

I am craving to read my written account of your birth this morning...and seeing pictures of your newborn self. All of that is still on the old hard drive, so I won't get the chance to do any of that...but I am re-living it all in my heart today. I am thinking about how this time last year, our lives were so incomplete without you and we weren't even aware of it.
One year ago today...I had just woken up and realized that, although my water had broken the night before, there wasn't much action going on throughout the night. I started making plans to go visit an acupuncturist to get needled in hopes of speeding things along naturally and avoiding any medical intervention. We did that around 9 am and then came home and went for a long walk...I took a warm shower and started my hypnobirthing. Around one, I knew that I was in good labor...but was thinking that I had another three or four hours to go. We had to meet my midwife at the birth center at 2 pm because of the situation with my water breaking. I was just hoping that I would be able to stay at the birth center instead of having to go to a hospital to be monitored. And, well...you had plans of your own. Your auntie and uncle came over to drive us in their car. I was having some good contractions and they made a nice comfy bed in the back of their Pilot for me to labor in. Little did we know that a few contractions into the drive...you started making your way out. You trusted that I knew how to birth...you trusted that your daddy would be there to catch you...you trusted so much and made all of us in the car trust as well. I remember eventually surrendering to what was happening and going fully into my work of birthing with the same amount of instinctive "knowing" that you must have felt at the same time. You were born...you were so quiet...you just laid on my belly and looked. Beautiful birth...beautiful you. One year ago today, we didn't know if you were a boy or a girl. We didn't know as intimately the peace of your soul as we do now. We didn't know that your name would fit you so perfectly well and that you would take us on a such a lovely journey with your wisdom and faith. Beautiful girl...beautiful you.
It seems that this year has too quickly come and gone. You have met each milestone with confidence and ease...as if you know exactly how each step is taken. I find myself falling more and more in love with you each and every new day. You brighten our world with your calm...with your laughter...with your ever so precious way about you. The way your eyes take in the world...the way your spirit brings joy to everyone around you. You are a treasure in this place...and my hope for you today is that the world brings you just as much light as you have brought to the world. May you do things that you love today...dance and play and eat sweet peas and bananas. And may you always keep your trust in who you are and what you are meant to do. I learn many magical lessons from your soul.
Beautiful day...Beautiful you.

16 comments:

Jamie said...

Happy Birthday Journey girl! I have been re-living your birth story in my mind here recently and I feel so lucky to have been a part of the day you gracefully entered this world. :)You bring so much happiness to us. I hope you have a beautiful day today! I love you!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday sweet baby girl! You are sooo special! I always wonder what is going on in that little mind of yours?

kimberly said...

happy day little Journey girl! what a precious little soul you are. you brighten our life.
love, papa and nonnie

Debbie said...

Happy Birthday Journey! That top picture of you is just SO precious!Your smile and giggle can just light up the world! Enjoy your special day.

Cory said...

Happy Happy Day Jo Jo. I love your precious soul.

Alyson said...

She is such a little lady now! She is beautiful! Happy Birthday Journey!

GG said...

Well, my darling little princess, I got to spend several hours with you today at the birthday party for your cousin, Mattox. You captivated everybody there with your peaceful, joyous smiley aura that just wraps around you. You are one of the cutest, kindest most darling little girls I have ever seen. Peace just seems to radiate from you. Now tomorrow I will get to spend time with you again at YOUR birthday party and I am looking forward to it. I love you Journey. Today was actually YOUR birthday and I know you had a lovely time because I could see the joy radiating from you in that cute little smile of yours. I love you my little BAMBI!! GG

Brittni said...

Happy Birthday little Journey girl! You are such a little precious sweet heart! You momma is right, you take each milestone when you know it is right and you are good and ready and you do it with such sweetness! What would we do without our little girl! I love you!

Beth said...

so sweet! happy birthday journey!

rebecca said...

what a sweet little dumpling! oohhh and that skirt! and Journey fits her so well.

happy birthday little one...

and a beautiful post, beautiful you!

daisies said...

happy birthday to your sweet baby girl :) what a beautiful post ~ tears of the best kind over here :)

Simplicity Wins said...

I feel so honored to have been part of her wonderful Journey. She is a sweet, soul. I love her dearly, thanks for allowing me to take part in it.

amanda said...

I love this. And my Ivo wants you to know that "Baby Journey is willy willy cute."

I hope she enjoyed every minute of her special day.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful you indeed.

bella said...

Happy Birthday to you both.

Rick Hamrick said...

Jess--it has been quite a long time since my last visit, but I know how much your blog--and the precious photos of those angels of yours--means to me. Just now, as I clicked on the link, my browser locked up, and my first reaction was, "NO! Don't do this to me!!"

Once my breathing returned to normal, I simply clicked the link again and arrived here safely.

Since our little ones are now well into young-adulthood, my wife and I take turns sending each other photos from your blog or tales you have told of life with little ones as your central focus.

More than anything, I only wish to let you know how much we love to read what you write and "Awwwww...." over your pictures.

Thanks so much for sharing your life.