Well, it's almost here. The first year of my daughter's life has flown by. I knew it would, it did with her brother too, but somehow it was different this time. Laboring this butter ball was quick and to the point: it lasted 10 hours, on my due date, 14 minutes of pushing and there she was. 9 pounds 5 oz of gorgeous. She slept her first two weeks away and then decided she was done with that. She has too much to explore!
In one short week this baby will be one. I love the toddler years, absolutely love them. I know, I know, nothing can really beat those squishy newborn and baby days, but toddlers have a fire to them that I love. They are fascinating to watch, if you can keep up. Over this past year, I have watched closely as our little bug has sucked up everything she can. With her brother as a guide, she discovered language, her surroundings, her voice, her reflection and just soaks it right up.
The thing that has tugged at my heartstrings most heavily is her bond with her brother. Atticus took some time to warm up to his baby sister. He was beyond excited about her, asking every single day when she would arrive (for the full 9 months), but once she came and the reality set in that she stays, like, forever, he had a hard with that. It went from being just he and I when my husband was away for the National Guard for five months, and then suddenly dad is back and a sister came. But the shock set in and he has grown in his role as teacher for his new baby. Now, she can't leave his sight without him looking for her, and I watch as his eye moves to keep up with her, just so he knows what she is doing and where she is at all times.
Atticus is a constant reminder of how quickly they grow up. His baby days seemed to go a little slower than her's, but then, so did I. Somewhere in there, life sped up, and I'm making it my mission to slow it down from here on out.
So as my June Bug turns one, there are some things about her that I am likely to never forget and always cherish:
-This hair. Girlfriend has hair that I always dreamed of on my daughter. It is soft and beautiful and begging for bows and headbands. Then I remembered that this is my child we are talking about. She obviously will not keep them in her hair. She has to explore them, throw them on the ground and discover them again later.
-These eyes. Ada has eyes on her so fierce, I could actually sit and stare at them all day. But more than just the aesthetics of them, she sees everything, and she finds so much joy in that. She watches, and she tries things out. Nod your head, and she'll do it back. Smile at her and say hello, and she's sure to give a wave and a big toothy grin. She sees you, and she wants to know everything you put in front of her.
-Her gorgeous little hands. Ada is very animated (see below) and uses her hands a lot. They are always flailing around, and you are likely to be hit with them if you're too close when she's excited. She dances with them, she cheers you on with them, she uses them during her diva moments. Her hands speak volumes, and they are also very tasty when cutting a tooth.
I feel insanely lucky to be the mom of Atticus and Ada. I have never in my life been so tired, and after a solid year without a full night of sleep, I honestly don't know how I have made it, but I can tell you, I would do it all again. This year has been too busy, and I've been a zombie through most of it, but looking back at her first year of being here, I am so proud of all she's done. I'm proud of Atticus for being so amazing and patient. I'm proud of my husband and I for surviving a year of no sleep. I'm proud of my year of breastfeeding. I'm proud of it all. Now, I have one more week before she turns one, and I intend on making it go by very slowly.
