And then there came the tension of you not gaining weight quite right, you just wanted to sleep. But after a few days of bootcamp, you started thriving and filling out. We were out of the lightweight scare without the need of intervention.
You started growing strong and you character started to emerge. My vocal baby, you sure found your lungs. But even when you were most worked up, touch brought you comfort. Oh there were the rough moments, it wasn't all sunshine, in which the porch swing seemed our only comforter. Oh the miles on that porch swing. But one thing remained - snuggling was a necessity. It's how you understand love.
So here I sit, a year later on your birthday, swinging you on the porch swing. Your calm, more than content to just snuggle into me and watch my face. Here in my arms is your preference, even though curiosity runs in your bones. Curiosity about the big wonderful world and the tastes of the plants and mulch nearby. But here in my arms you are calm, quiet, safe... loved.
Abi, my love, I always imagined our kid #2 would be wonderful, but you are unfathomable. From the way you cling to my arm when I hold you to that little pacifier smile and twinkle in your eye that says, "that's my mommy," you bless me so. God really has blessed me so with your warm little heart. And while you may be more than satisfied to just be held instead of investigating the world, and while my sidekick can sometimes be a bit of a challenge in tasks like one-handed-dish-washing or one-handed-laundry-folding, you are worth the challenge in every way. And it really is a compliment to know that you would rather just be near me than seek your own independence. The time will come when you too will spread your wings like your sister and set off on your own adventures of toddlerhood. But, my sweet little birthday baby, I am glad that that day is not quite today. I love holding you and snuggling you while I still can, my little Abi baby.
Happy birthday, lovey. Snuggles all around.
Start
Oh wait, this tastes good!
All hands on deck.
No crumb left behind policy.
Finished.
4 comments:
aawww this reminds me of when Ruthie (my #2) turned 1. It was so bittersweet! Much of parenthood is though. I love how you linked through your blog - and that part that "wasn't all sunshine"... girl... I could have wrote that at so many points in my own journey!
Happy first birthday to your beautiful Abi! (And to you, too, Monica! Our babies birthdays are milestones in our lives as mothers!)
Thanks for your comment, Jess. It really was a bittersweet moment. "She's getting so big" comes with the realization that I'm losing my baby and the joy of watching her grow.
And not all roses - Holla, girl! But worth every second and every trial.
Thanks for the happy birthday. Abi doesn't understand it yet, but my heart does. Thanks.
I love the finished picture. She's kicking back with a full tummy- TOO CUTE!
Erin, oh yes how she packed that in like it was going out of style. hehehe. Not a shy one when it comes to cake. =)
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