 |
| "A year. Whoa!" |
Well, as of Saturday December 14, 2013, our little girl is officially one year old. One year. In some respects, it is really hard to believe that we are already a year into our adventure of parenthood; in other respects, when thinking on the last year and all that has happened, its hard to believe its only been a year. At her doctor's appointment today for her 1 year checkup, our little baby girl who was 5 pounds 14 ounces and 19 inches long came in at 20 pounds 12 ounces and 29 inches tall/long ... What a year of growth!
It seemed like just a week after turning 11 months, Maia started taking steps without hanging on to anything. Just two and three at a time, before getting a little too excited and toppling over. In general, she seemingly just became more confident with leaving the furniture behind, and though there has been many falls in the past month, by the time we reached her birthday, she was pretty adept at the walking thing. Watching her take these first steps was both exhilarating and terrifying. Its indescribable to see and observe that skill develop right before your eyes, particularly when its something that we do without even thinking about as adults. And while it opens up an entire new world of opportunities for Maia to discover and explore, there are just that many more pitfalls and dangers for her to encounter/bump/fall into. Exhilarating. Terrifying. Can't express it any better than those two words.
 |
| "O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree" |
Maia also had her first Thanksgiving. As such, she got to become part of our annual triangle of traveling between home, Jackie's parents and my folks. We had both Thanksgivings done by Thursday night, which meant that Jackie could begin her annual decorate the house for Christmas that I won't ever let happen until after Thanksgiving a little earlier than in years past. Jackie always does a wonderful job; but its been another adventure to watch Maia experience those decorations, and to watch her explore (perhaps dismantle is a more appropriate word choice) the Christmas tree in our family room.
During the past month Maia also cut another one or two teeth on top (which look so incredibly huge compared to the teeth on the bottom). But the more fun development as it regards the mouth (sure, why not) has been how much more vocal Maia has gotten in the last month. She is more and more expressive, and though much of it is still in her own language, we can definitively say that her first word is "ball." She has been able to identify balls in both 2-dimensional representations (pictures) and 3-dimensionals (a baseball). Of course, everything that is remotely spherical is also a ball. A similar sound, but she has also just started saying "bye" when either Jackie or I are leaving for something.
 |
| "Yea, I have egg on my face. What of it?" |
Its the weeks like these past few, with the first steps and the first words, that remind me how to just appreciate and enjoy where she is at. I (we) loved the stage when she was so little she fit between my elbow and my palm; the stage where she tried seemingly forever to flip herself over; to this stage. It's sad to see one of those stages end, but thrilling to begin a new one.
 |
| "Hey, hey, I'm 1!!" |
And that new stage is as a 1 year old. Last Saturday was her 1st birthday party. Considering the 8-9 inches of snow we received (when they were calling for 3-5 in our County), it was appropriately themed a "Winter Onederland" party (Jackie's so creative). Despite the weather, everyone eventually made it, and we enjoyed soup, hot cocoa, and eventually cake. It was, simply, a beautiful day.
 |
| "I will name him Bear and he shall be mine." |
 |
| Obligatory face full of cake pic. ;) |
So, we have a 1 year old now. This past year, the first year of Maia's life, has been a remarkable journey for both Jackie and I. Thus far, parenthood has been everything we ever hoped it would be; and we continue to hope that we will be the best we can be for Maia. Reflecting on a day like her first birthday, and thinking about the previous year, I can't help but be immensely grateful. Grateful that I get to share the joy of raising Maia with my best friend and partner. Grateful for our adoption process, and a continued sense of awe of the gift our birthmother gave us.
And grateful for our daughter.
On to year 2.
No comments:
Post a Comment