Our baby is one!

Our little miss is one today!  Amazing. What a milestone for her and for us.  I have lots of friends who are expecting and due soon, and every time I see a beautiful pregnant woman, I just take a deep breath thinking back to this last year.  It was such a blur, a true roller coaster: the all-consumingness of newbornhood complicated by little miss’ week-long hospitalization for bronchiolitis at two weeks of age, and by the day-to-day challenge of caring for two young children, all the while sleep-deprived.

With the dude’s first birthday, I was 100% excited for this milestone. With little miss’ birthday, I feel bittersweetness all around.  Little miss is cruising, with walking just around the corner.  She’s communicating more with signs and some words.  She’s showing some likes, dislikes, and strong opinions.  That’s my girl.

We have decided to have two children, so we are slowly saying goodbye to the baby stage…forever.  And though I am delighted with my little miss’ birthday, I also feel wistful.  So with every diaper change, I sniff and pretend-chomp on those still chubby baby feet and zerbert that cute baby tummy and those yummy baby thighs.  I take in that six-teeth smile and kiss those pillowy cheeks.  And I count my lucky stars.  Our baby is healthy, happy and now one!