A Framework of Each Other
Reflecting on My Daughter's First Year of Life

My daughter turned 1 Year Old this past week, and I have been on an emotional journey of reflection as a result. One whole year with her in my life, and I feel like I’ve known her my whole life. An entire piece of me has grown and developed before my own eyes this year, and it has changed me every day. I’ve grown more than I ever expected, and I have my little crazy family unit to thank for that. As difficult as it is to do in the year 2020, this reflection on her life has been eye-opening to me. From understanding her own development, to reassuring my belief in my abilities as a Father and Step-Father.
Growth Can Be Shared

A Framework of each other.
As she was introduced to the world around her, her oldest sister was introduced to the First Grade – and subsequently torn from the classroom due to the pandemic. Her brother, hasn’t grown very much vertically, but he has grown into so much of his own person, with his own opinions. (For better or worse.) We all got to watch her grow over the last year, and it helped inspire each of us to fight harder. One year later, and little Aubrey-Rose is starting to physically get her feet under her. Little does she realize, she was the feet we needed under us.

Her older brother, Logan, has had quite a transition of a year. He reached 4 years old, and combined with becoming a “big” brother, took the helm of maturity (In a 4 year old sense of the word). While in a sense he is more ‘defiant’ at this point, it is simply him testing any and all limits in order to figure out the world. He’s finally diving head first into things without the guidance of his older sister, and carving his own path and providing his own answers – however wordy and rambling they may be. He has ditched diapers for good at our house, is always on the hunt for new Math problems, and has more questions than he knows how to ask. (He thinks me and Mom are magic because we know all the answers)
Another point of growth this year is Amber’s belly. What I mean by that hilariously blunt statement (Sorry hun) is that we have another little one on the way! Ambitiously, we have decided we want to be even further outnumbered, and are adding in one more hooligan. While Aubrey-Rose continues to grow, develop and progress, I have a feeling she will fall gently into her big sister role just as easily as the others have. I can not wait to see how she interacts with a new addition, and I impatiently invite the growth that will inevitably come along with each step of the way.
It Was Not Easy, and Nothing Went to Plan
After she was born, and I had a few days to recoup (ie SLEEP), I released the article “Welcome Aubrey-Rose” and I ended it with this passage:
It was not easy, and nothing went according to plan, but this birth was perfect. We now have another beautiful girl in the family, with a beautiful name. I will take today and everyday to celebrate Amber for the fight she showed every step of the way, all to welcome Aubrey-Rose.

Happy Birthday Aubrey-Rose. Thank you for making us all stronger, more passionate, loving people.
Anthony McGuigan
August 2020