Mackenzie,

The day has arrived, today you turn one. It feels a little surreal- how did an entire year go so fast? I can look through pictures and so vividly remember the day they were taken- I feel like months passed like days. So here we are, your first birthday.

I was just talking to Tricia the other day asking her if she remembered what we were doing last year at this time? How I was shouting to her at the park from our front door telling her I think my water just broke.  She was convinced I just peed my pants. I remember us all piling into the Capa and driving to the hospital. I remember your dad had just gotten his iPhone and we were watching the Sarah Palin SNL skits as we labored away. Shortly after midnight it took 2 quick pushes and about 10 minutes for you to be born. You looked just like your brother. But smaller. You had blue eyes and lots of beautiful black hair, it all fell out, but it was pretty while it lasted.

And here it is a whole twelve months later. You’re a busy girl these days, crawling and cruising and always headed for the stairs. Up until yesterday I had just been gating the hallway to keep you from the stairs. Except you, smarty pants, have figured out how to go around the long way through the kitchen. Yesterday you got up the first two stairs and proceeded to fall, thankfully you landed on a flip flop and it was a soft landing.

Today you got to open your presents your brother opened your presents for you and you got a baby, a walker/stroller and some books. You were so pleased with yourself being able to push your stroller and toddle behind it.

You still love your touchy-feely books, your play-house, and stuffed animals. You’ve recently discovered the phone and when you get ahold of it, or a remote or anything phone-like you put it up to your head and give a high-pitched “HAAA.” You’ve also recently discovered the dishwasher and come barreling in whenever you hear the door open.

You’re already becoming a shoe girl. You can blame me because I’ve started this routine where whenever I come get you out of your crib, I ask you “where are your shoes?” (they are all lined up on your dresser) and you look right at them, stick your right foot out, point your toes, and let out a little grunty “mmm”, and its a particular sound that is only used when shoes are in sight. I pick out a pair and stick them on your chubby little feet and let you pull them off. If I start to walk out of your room without doing our shoe dance you arch your head and kick your leg back and forth, give me the shoe “mmm” and let it be known that, mom, we didn’t do shoes.

You don’t have any real words yet per-se. You know a few animal sounds, ‘yes please’ and ‘all finished’ in signs but you’ve fully embraced your newest skill-shaking your head no. When playing downstairs your favorite thing to do is crawl to the front door and play (chew on) the shoes. Im constantly telling you “no-no- we don’t chew on shoes” and so now when I see you picking one up I ask “what does mama say?” you get a big smile, shake the shoe and shake your head no.

You are easy to put to bed and always wake up a happy girl. We can hear you talking in your crib, singing and playing with your elephant, bunny and Ling Ling; your faithful crib companions.

Your appetite is massive. Yesterday I asked your dad if there was anything wrong with you eating an entire can of mandarin oranges in one sitting. You love mandarin oranges. And blueberries. And you eat a lot of string cheese because I find that its hard to come up with non-starchy snacks that we can take on the go that won’t spill all over. You are not all that interested in milk- and you’ve been drinking it for about a month now because despite my best efforts you refused to nurse one day more. The last time I tried it you looked up at me, got a big smile and shook your head no. I guess you’re a girl who knows what she wants. I tried that whole put-it-in-a-sippy cup bit and every time you took a sip you just spit it out.

Allegedly you still take two naps a day but there are times that I come get you that it would appear there has been more playing (things knocked off the dresser, animals dropped over the side of the crib) than sleeping.

Its bittersweet watching you become more independent. I was just thinking about how my favorite baby age is (aside from the perfect newborn) 3months-ish because you’re still so little and cuddly and snoozy. But you have times of wakefulness and little baby smiles and coos. You could still be held for hours and hours without protest. But now, you arch and bend and flail to just be PUT DOWN. I think what is so hard about you turning one is that the “baby” chapter of my life is over. Is there plenty to look forward to? Absolutely, but I love love having a baby to hold. I hope I’ve captured it enough in pictures, videos and blogs. If I could- I’d do it all over again- pregnant, labor, sleepless nights, I loved it all. Especially the labor part- going through the pain (you may recall the anesthesiologist was caught up in surgery so I was epidural free for a good bit of labor), excitement and anticipation. There is nothing in life that has as great of a payoff as labor because in the end you get a little perfect person.

There have been some tough days, I won’t lie, but in the end, Im glad I’ve been the one who has gotten to be there every step of the way. Im the one who has gotten to record every milestone, new tooth and dr. appt. Im so grateful and blessed to have gotten to watch you go from precious newborn to a one-going-on-two year old. You are a smart, beautiful little girl and I know I speak for both your dad and I when I tell you we feel so lucky to have you. As your brother would say- we love you the whole world.

Happy 1st Birthday Mackenzie.

Love,
Mama

Filed under: McSassy