The First Year

A year ago today, my best friend Lindsey’s life changed forever when she welcomed her daughter, Brie, into the world.

I still remember all of the details of the night that I received a text from her telling me that she was pregnant. Well, it was more like showing me that she was—three positive pregnancy tests did the job. I was riding in the car with my boyfriend at the time, on our way to comedy night at Howl at the Moon on the island. I got the text right before the traffic signal at The Boardwalk. I don’t think I ever shared this with Lindsey, but I cried when I saw the text. Tears of joy. Tears of fear. Tears of girly hormones.

When your best friend has a baby, your whole world changes, too.

She’s the first of my friends to raise a child, which means everything I’m learning about upbringing is from you, Lindsey, so when I have children and they question my ways of raising them, I’m blurting out your name, and they'll be coming for YOU! But, that won’t be for a few years (if ever), so until then I will be cool Aunt Jordan ;).

Brie is the reason that I can now, somewhat confidently, hold a baby. Although, Lindsey says I'm still awkward at it to which I tell her "good, guys will know for sure that I don't have kids." It sounds totally insane, but I used to have a slight phobia of holding them because they are so tiny and I was always afraid I was going to hurt them. Lindsey pretty much made me get past that the first time I met Brie aka I didn’t have a choice. (Thanks for that, boo!)

Brie was the youngest baby I’ve ever held. She was the first baby I ever fed a bottle to that fell asleep in my arms. (Lindsey had to teach my how to prop my arm up on the couch armrest to prevent fatigue haha. Babies are so light, but DAMN they can make your arms sore fast!) Brie was the first baby I’ve ever put in a car seat. (And she didn’t like that very much…) I could go on with this list of firsts, but my point is to show how much of an impact this little one has had on my life.

HUGE MILESTONE: She started walking this week!

I look forward to the years ahead when she begins to talk. When she attends her first day of school. When she gets her first report card and Aunt Jordan can spoil her for earning good grades. When she needs help with English homework and Aunt Jordan can teach her how to write a kickass paper. When she needs help with math homework and Aunt Jordan can tell her stories of how her and her mom were in math class together in high school and Aunt Jordan is the last person she would want to seek guidance from in that subject area. When she gets her first boyfriend and Aunt Jordan helps her dad intimidate the shit out of the poor boy before he takes her out on a date.

It’s amazing how much can happen in a year. The upcoming years are sure to be a fun learning experience when it comes to this sweet baby!

HAPPY 1^ST BIRTHDAY, BRIE!!!

These were taken the day I met her, when she was just a couple days old.

And these were taken tonight! This is the adorable, baby jacket I got her. OMG I'm in LOVE.

I can’t get enough of her <3. Her first experience with chocolate...

On a super side note, (while I'm writing this in my parents' kitchen, my dad just opened the fridge and asked me (with a serious face) “Why do we have brown eggs?”

I, of course, just laughed my ass off. And explained to him that I bought OGRANIC eggs last week and mom bought some this week. He was so confused as to why someone would make organic eggs. Men….

It is well past my bedtime, so I bid you goodnight. Til next time!

Live your life for YOU and no one else. Seriously, only your happiness matters.

- LJ