Poor Maggie hasn't even be introduced on this blog. But she's here, and she's amazing, and since today is her birthday, I wanted to give her a little blog love.
*****
It never ceases to amaze me how fast one year can truly fly. It seems only yesterday we were transitioning to being new parents at the arrival of Lucy. And yet, we've survived not only parenting one child, but two. Two beautiful girls. Two total blessings.
Maggie, you are a true delight.
One year ago today, you came into this world. It was a bit of a surprise, as you weren't due until January 14. But at my 38 week check up, they were a bit worried about my amniotic fluid level and your low heart rate, and had me go for further checking. Upon a stress test and ultrasound, it was decided it was in your best interest to be born ASAP.
I might have cried.
Mainly because I wasn't ready. I was ready for you to come in a week and a half. To go into labor on my own. But instead, I found myself walking out of the appointment with little 2-and-a-half year old Lucy tugging at my hand. It was freezing cold that day. I had nothing ready! My bag wasn't packed! Daddy was at school! What would I do with Lucy?
After calling Daddy, and thoroughly freaking him out, I dropped Lucy off at Briana's house. I was grateful for the group of people who came to stay with you and take care of you while we were at the hospital. I took a pill every few hours to start labor, but all was quiet until about 4am. Contractions started, my water broke, and pain levels skyrocketed. In the next 2 hours, life became blurry. Traffic of nurses and doctors in and out. The arrival of my epidural. My epidural not working. No one believing me. Needing to push, and being completely scared to do it without pain medication. But at 7am, you quickly arrived shortly after pushing.
I can't remember pain, only taking you into my arms. You were beautiful.
And you've been beautiful ever since.
I went into your first year thinking I'd have the parenting thing under my belt. I thought I would know how to do everything, how to address every situation. I knew there would be an adjustment: figuring out life with two, overcoming the rush of hormones, the healing of my body. And in some ways, much was the same. I knew how to deal with crying, how to change a diaper, how to handle illness.
But you've taught me so much in the last year. You've showed me that parenting is an ongoing class, and there is never an end to learning. You have a very different disposition than your sister. You communicate differently. You learned to sleep differently. You like different things, dislike others. I learned how important it is to embrace differences and uniqueness instead of trying to micromanage things to be exactly how I want them.
Maggie, you light up a room. You are such a happy, delightful girl who smiles all the time. You love people, and quickly warm to new friends. I love how you embrace life, explore and adventure. And although she really gives you a run for your money, you are so completely in love with your big sister, Lucy. Sure, there are scuffles over legos, pushes and shoves. But when Lucy comes in the room with her gusto and big personality, you squeal with delight and can't take your eyes off her. We could give you any number of toys, but you would always rather be into whatever Lucy is into (much to her dismay).
Give her time - I trust you and Lucy will become the best of friends.
You love your Daddy. When he comes home, you toddle as fast as your little legs will take you, babbling "Dadadadadadadada" and lift your arms up to be held. You often don't like being taken from him, and he can make you laugh life no other.
You are a cuddle bug. You like to fit your head into the nook between our heads and shoulders, nuzzling up to our necks. Before bed, after you've had a bottle, I turn off the light and sway with you while we pray and sing. No matter how awake and alert you were when the lights were on, you instantly lay your head on my shoulder and cuddle. At any given moment, you might come over to one of us and just lay your head down. It may only last for a few moments, but it's like you want us to know we are loved. As you are loved.
You are so sweet.
This year, you learned to roll over at 6 months, sit up at 7 months, crawl at 8 months and walk at 11 months. Talk about keeping us on our toes! I loved seeing your first smile around 1 month. You have an amazingly contagious grin. We were taken off guard by seeing your first tooth at 7 months. Lucy didn't get her first tooth until almost 11 months, as did both Daddy and myself. You really like to keep us thinking! And while we aren't hearing words yet, we get glimpses. You say "Dada" for daddy, sometimes we get a "Mama" for mommy, but not consistently. You've held a phone up to your ear and said something along the lines of "ha-oo" for hello. And every once in a while, we hear "zhee zhee" for Gigi!
Although we've faced many trials in 2011, you were by far the brightest and bestest thing that happened to us this year. You made this year good just by being in it.
I can't wait to see what more you have in store for us.
We love you.
Happy first birthday, Margaret Jane!
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