One Year Old

Dearest Fiona: My sweet baby girl, you are One Year Old!


I still think of you as my baby, although you defy that definition. But in my heart, I suspect you will remain my baby for a while yet. I thought I would feel more bittersweet about saying goodbye to your babyhood. For you (in all likelihood) are my last. My last birth, my last newborn, my last snuggle-in-and-cart-around-sleep-anywhere baby. But I'm finding it easier to end this era than I thought. I'm enjoying watching YourSelf emerge, along with all these crazy mad skills. Thank goodness your brother has prepared the way. What's one more insanely busy, active kid at this point.

You are moving up a storm. The walking that clicked in around 11 months is full steam ahead. I love watching your puffy cloth diaper tushy toddling around. Then I take my eyes off you for three seconds and that tushy is on top of the table. You fly up and down the stairs, can climb into the bathtub (with a crash landing), and just want to do everything your brother can do. I love watching you both flop around on the bed. He wants you to be big enough to wrestle, while you copy his antics, throwing your body down onto the soft comforter and giggling.


Your Daddy and I are really enjoying listening to your vocalizing. It's a whole different experience from your brother. Your brother used up all the speech therapy funds, you'll just have to find a different way to burn through money. So we are quite thankful that you are talking on a more traditional curve. You say Mama (your first word!) Dada, Hi, and nana (for nursing). I love entering your room and hearing the delighted Mama! I think you've got a couple other words coming up, because you make some distinctive sounds for Patrick and the dogs.


You have a very independent spirit and want to do it yourself! A nice quality to have, if a messy one. Meals are lengthy and time consuming because you insist on holding your own spoon. You aren't doing too bad getting it to your mouth, you just need a little help getting something on it. You clap your hands and just started waving bye-bye. You love your books. You pick the one you want, bring it over and plop in our labs for storytime. You do not like it if your brother is in your spot for reading. Neither do you like the accompanying lesson in frustration management.

Dr. Cieri said that I can stop nursing you at night. He said this would probably improve your chances of sleeping through the night. While I love you, I don't love visiting with you up to four times a night. I love nursing you, so I'm in no hurry to drop that. But the nighttime stuff is getting old. We just might have to fight that battle. At some point. Later.


My most favorite part of your growth is the sweet interactions between you and Patrick. Your brother is just crazy about you right now. He's also started keeping you in line, "That's not for babies!" "No Sister!" "Sister grabbed me!" But if I say, "Fiona, where is Patrick?" You perk right up to go find him! You guys are starting to play together, as much somebody your age plays with others, more like playing in tandem. You are interested in whatever he has. Your Daddy is thrilled that you've learn to turn on and wave the light saber.


I have a feeling you are going to continue to keep my on my toes, my wonderful daughter. Keep it coming, sister. I'm ready.


Love you always!
Love
Mommy