Birthday baby

On my baby girl's last night as a 1 year old, I rocked her in the glider in her nursery. We did her favorite flash cards and she recited the name of each item and then stuffed it back in the box methodically. "Cat. Me-ow. Mommy's keys. Baby - that me." I read her a book and then finally turned out the light. I wanted to rock her for a while, but she pointed to her crib insistently and I placed her in. She assumed her position - butt in the air, no blanket and I crept out.

By next year at this time, she'll be in a bed. The lamb nursery will make way for a more grown-up purple and yellow quilt. The changing table might be used for something other than diapers. Instead of peacefully laying down, she might be begging me to stay for one more story. The same way I want to beg time to stop for just a little while. To let my baby stay a baby for just a little longer.

Of course, Little A hasn't really been a baby since she was perhaps 6 months old. She laughed in the face of babydom and quickly skipped on to toddlerhood. She's been keeping me on my toes ever since. Yesterday in the car I actually heard her say "Oh my G-d" on her own volition. I did a double-take than just laughed. Typical.

She has quickly mastered the art of taunting her older sister. I can't count the number of times I've had to say "Little A, leave your sister alone." I can count that its been MANY more times than I've said the same thing to Big A. Despite being a bit of a bully, she is not a drama queen. She is laid-back like J, taking things in stride. Sure, she'll cry if something bothers her, but she quickly gets over it and doesn't hold a grudge. Just tonight, she fell off the bed in the guest room while playing "dance party" with her sister. Unfortunately, she caught her eye area on a plastic bin and got pretty scraped up. After some initial crying, she simply stopped and went on with her night unscathed. I hope she can keep this resiliency as she goes through life. She will probably need it to deal with her very dramatic sister...and mother.

I can honestly say that Little A has brought us nothing but joy since she was born 2 years ago. When I think back to that day, I think of how tiny she was and how content. She curled up like a cat for a month or two, then slowly unfurled and got to the business of living. She laughs many times a day and can play independently for hours. She is fond of telling me that she loves me this much with arms open as wide as she can stretch. Its hard to put into words how much I love my daughter. This much doesn't cover it for me, but its a start.

Happy birthday to the sweetest 2 year old I know. You make our family complete.