I can distinctly remember the very first time I kissed your tiny, pink, puffy cheek. You felt so little and so big at the same time, and I felt incredibly excited and very anxious when they handed you to me. I remember staring at your little face and trying to take it in, to memorize it as quickly as I could. I remember thinking that just a few moments before, when you were still inside me, you were familiar, and now you were completely new and unknown.
One year later I kiss that sweet cheek every day. And even better than that, I know you. I can close my eyes and see your face, hear your infectious giggle. I can feel your beautiful little marshmallow cheeks on my lips. You know me, too. One of my favorite parts of the day is coming up the stairs and hearing your palms slap the hardwood as you thunder to the gate, squealing with excitement, to meet me.You have changed so much in a year! And though I was sure that when we reached this place I would be sad, mourning the loss of your babyhood, the truth is I'm not, really. I loved the cuddily bundle of milky sleep you were a year ago, but it just keeps getting better! How can I be sad when you're so much fun?
Your first birthday party was so much fun. You were surrounded by many, many people who love you very much, and I am assured that there were many, many more wishing they could be there, from all over the country. I made a strawberry layer cake with strawberry cream cheese frosting and I made you a mini version of the same thing. You did so great! You picked off the strawberries first, and then started to shove the cake in your mouth just like you were supposed to! You were a little freaked out by having thirty pairs of eyes watch you, I think, but you seemed to like the cake! You made a big mess on your hands and face and high chair tray, but not a drop got in your hair, on your dress, or on the floor! That's my girl!!
The list of things you can do keeps getting longer and longer, and I'm often awestruck that every one of them was learned. From holding your head up to re-arranging furniture, you figured it out one step at a time. And now you can give kisses to your stuffed animals, give high fives (thanks to Aunt Kelli), clap, point, attempt to put on shoes, brush your hair, and pick out the toy duck, among other things.You say "No," "duck," and "da-da," and Daddy told me the other day you said "mama" but I haven't had the benefit of hearing that one yet (even though it is the one word I've been longing to hear from those sweet little lips since forever).
You aren't yet walking on your own, but we know it is coming very soon. Daddy and I take you for "walks" around the apartment every day, your little fists clenched around our fingers.
You have always transitioned effortlessly, requiring at most mere suggestion on the part of your parents. You have transitioned completely to whole cow's milk, without complaint. And last week we put away your bottles - you're all sippy cup now. The latest change was to one nap - now you sleep from 8-8:30pm to at least 7:30 (sometimes as late as 9!) am, and then you nap at 1:00 for a couple of hours. Daddy loves the new schedule but I admit I miss our morning cuddles when I don't get them!!
It seems like at one, maybe more noticably than at other stages, you're full of rapid, very visible change. You are truly leaving your babyhood behind you. Daddy and I love you just how you are, and we can't wait to see what's next!!
Love,
Mommy
