eggs!

Although we are officially done with "first" holidays, Adelaide slept through Easter last year! Her first egg hunt was an impressive success. Adelaide was excited to see plastic eggs scattered around the room (maybe she was excited to be allowed to play with plastic?) and she proceeded to scurry about, collecting all the eggs and filling up the little basket, needing surprisingly little encouragement. I thought egg-hunting was a learned skill, but little Adelaide knew exactly what to do - perhaps she was blessed with an Easter reflex - or maybe she secretly was paying attention last year?!?

a kid!

Adelaide changes so much that it's hard to notice the stages until you realize they are over. Although she's been quite "mature" (in her serious little way) for a long time, I am realizing that she's officially no longer a baby.

She walks everywhere, carries items around and stashes them in secret places. She talks in a little series of words and imitates animal sounds (though the cat sounds more like a sheep, the dog "arf arf" is really cute). She identifies objects and pictures by name, and she's very clear and expressive about what she likes and doesn't like.

But cutest of all, she loves to laugh!! And to make us laugh! She giggles enthusiastically at absolutely anything (or nothing). My personal favorite: 'social' laughing -- when we laugh, she laughs - even if she's in the other room, or doesn't understand the conversation, she giggles along, for minutes at a time! It's impossible to be in a bad mood around such a happy kid! She truly has turned from a content baby into a joyful kid (must be Joey's genes!). :)

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.