the big ONE

Adelaide's first birthday was this week. Her Aunt Margaret, Uncle Tony, and grandparents threw her a birthday party full of love and monkeys (and giant zoo animals - check out the photos!). She rejected birthday cake (too sweet!), chatted up a storm, and charmed everyone.

This weekend Joe and I thought a lot about what life was like this time last year. Everyone says it goes so fast, but that's only half true. Last year seems like so long ago - back when our apartment was big enough and it didn't matter if we tracked in leaves, my body was distorted and foreign, before the nebulous shape inside me was full of distinct personality, when we had no idea what a challenge it would be to create space in our lives and our relationship for another family member.

Now everything is different, and at times I long for the freedom to be lost, cold and hungry in the mountains, or go for an all-day bike ride, without being tethered to a hungry demanding little being. We adamantly refused to let her 'interfere' with our lives, taking her absolutely everywhere, at least at first.

But slowly things have been changing - I have become infinitely more patient (though I've a long way to go) and less mobile, learned that 'momness' really is biologically programmed, and have succumbed to more stereotypes than I've defied. I've realized for the first time that my parents had a relationship of their own before I intruded on it, and that Adelaide has no idea that her parents matter to each other. I've come to believe in unconditional love at first sight.

This year has been significantly more trying than I ever imagined, but I've repeatedly been shocked at how fun it is. I am constantly amazed how much I love my tiny girl, and how rewarding it is to spend time with her - time flies by, just like falling in love. I am so proud of her little achievements, and her frustrations, and I wouldn't trade her for a world full of freedom or endless powder days. I can't help mourning that this first year is over, but I'm so excited to watch her grow, improvising together as we go.

elimination game

We started sitting on the potty last week. 11 months is either way too early to introduce the potty, or way too late, depending who you ask. But for us, it must have been a reasonably good time, because we've had several "successes" already! Who knew potty time could be so fun?!?!

baby steps

Adelaide took her first real steps alone today. Quite an exciting achievement, and she was obviously quite thrilled with herself. As with other advances she's made, she seemed to have no idea that walking was possible, then suddenly found herself without support and took off with enthusiasm! She ran all around her room, strutting her stuff and laughing, laughing, laughing all the time. For my own sake, I had been grateful that it took her so long to learn (especially when she was pulling up to stand so early ...), but Joey and I were both pretty darn excited tonight for this little step towards independence. Hurray tiny girl! (Now would be an appropriate time to clap, as Adelaide did for herself after her first successful steps!)

little book worm

One thing we know: Adelaide LOVES her books - she reads more books per day than any librarian could dream. Lately, however, she doesn't necessarily have time to look at every page or listen for us to say the words (perhaps she knows them all by heart, as we do?) - instead she pulls them off the shelf, flips quickly though the best pages (rather like using a reference text), and then moves on to the next one. We've cycled through various favorites by now (Little Duck, Rainbow Rob, This Little Duck, Tails), although there are quite a few that make the daily rounds, and only a small collection on her shelf in which she has absolutely no interest. Stop by any given day after breakfast and you'll see her perusing her books, intently studying, occasionally smiling at what she finds, and always, always busy! She'll hand you the one she wants to read, and she'll flip the pages in haste if you're too slow. In her little way, she's thankful to all who have contributed books to her little (and well-used) library. :)

wwwiiiisit??

Adelaide's newest and favorite word, her own variation of "What is it??" has become something of a mantra within our family. In the kitchen, at the store, while we are eating, even while 'helping' with her favorite chore (the dishwasher), Adelaide is constantly pointing and inquiring "wwwiiiisit?". At least so far, she doesn't seem to care too much what the answer is, as long as someone answers her.

first Christmas

Ms. Adelaide had a lovely first Christmas - despite the snow, we made it to my parents' house for all the Christmas traditions - stockings (a new beautiful angel one for Adelaide) - breakfast cinnamon twists shaped like a tree - presents: Adelaide got a set of beautiful wooden toys hand-painted by her Great Uncle Tony - dinner with the fam ... Then we were off to Wisconsin to celebrate with the other side of the family - they made it through some treacherous weather to rescue us from holiday airport extravaganza! And our little Christmas baby had so very much fun playing with all of her aunts, uncles, grandparents in the busy Nelson house. It was a wonderful and blessed first celebration - Adelaide feels very loved and cherished all over the country!!

out = in

It's December, which means Adelaide is 9 months old. This is quite a milestone, as she has now been "out" as long as she was "in". And both of us have changed as much in these past nine months as we did in the first nine. For the first nine months, we were becoming more and more each other - I was getting used to her being a part of my life, and a part of me, and for these past nine, we've both been growing into our independence. I now feel like myself again (mostly), and she has become very much her own person - likes, dislikes, opinions, character. She is so interactive and plays lots of games: finding objects that we "hide", and hiding herself in peek-a-boo, 'grunting' responses to Joe's grunted questions, takes things "out" and now puts them back "in" as well! She gestures toward things she wants and pushes my hand when I offer her something gross. And I have an increasingly hard time convincing her that it's a good idea to do something she doesn't like. Quite a strong will in her mature little character. At our 9 month check up last week, Adelaide weighed in at 17 lbs 2 oz and 27 in tall. It's incredible that she has sprouted up from nothing in such a short time, and equally amazing the physical and emotional (hormonal?) train ride that I've experienced. So here I am, officially joining the legions of parents who say "having a baby will change your life forever"!