I was prepared for the countless hours scouring Pinterest for first Birthday party ideas. I knew I would spend several late nights making decorations.  I figured that I would drive myself crazy looking for the perfect “1″ candle. But I did not expect the tidal wave of emotions that came over me that day (those days, really) surrounding her birthday.

I was happy to be celebrating such a big milestone, but I realized my baby was becoming a toddler and that made me sad too. Of course, I want her to grow up, but I also want my baby.  I love holding her in my arms and giving her a thousand kisses a day, it’s fun to feed her and watch her reactions, and the best part of my day happens when we dance around the room to Disney show tunes. I know that very soon, she will not let me do these things because with a toddler, comes fierce independence. I also know that’s the goal….an independent, fantastic adult human. It’s just that I love this time we’re having now and I never want it to end. I also can’t wait to bake cookies together and make crafts and watch her dance in her first recital. I know there are amazing things ahead, I’m just feeling nostalgic for the amazing times we’ve had.

Happy First Birthday baby girl!!

-Jolynn Baca Jaekel has been a fitness professional for more than a decade. She just had her first child, Parker, with husband Rob last January. She and her family recently relocated from NYC to Washington D.C.