All I did was blink. I closed my eyes for a single second and when I opened them a budding little girl sat before me. Those delicious round cheeks still intact but somehow a little less baby-ish. Untamable, swift curls of ever-lightening hair springing out from behind her ears. Her big bright eyes brimming with the same curiosity and wonder as the day she was born but also a touch of wisdom. And all I did was blink.
Today officially marks the first year around the sun for our bright little sunbeam. It’s a bittersweet feeling to look back at photos of my tiny girl and reminisce about the way it felt to hold her fragile little body in my arms while simultaneously relish in today’s abundant big bear hugs and unprompted kisses.
We’ll start weaning soon and I’m already desperate to return to the days of exhaustive marathon, around-the-clock nursing sessions. The days where I was so memorized by the enchanting little babe in my arms I couldn’t will myself to sleep even though I was utterly overdue for some decent shut eye.
The past year has flown at a lightening speed I’ve never known. Dakota quickly became too big to carry around in the crook of my elbow. Alex and I have tried our best to expose our little girl to the best of life’s beauty and imagination, cramming adventure after adventure into every spare moment we can find. Every growing ounce of Dakota’s giggly, gurgling, goofiness has been a magical journey for all three of us to discover together.
I couldn’t be more proud of her growing independence – her lack of hesitation to sound off when she has an opinion and her ability to freely assert herself whenever she pleases. She may no longer happily eat all the veggies I put on her plate, but it’s that unbridled brazenness in the way she immediately chucks those veggies to the floor that gives me hope that she will grow into the strong, determined person she is meant to be – sass and all.
No matter how old or how big she grows, she still is – and will always be – our tiny slice of heaven. Happy birthday, little sweet. We love you more than you could ever know. <3
This past weekend we celebrated with family and friends. Alex even brewed a special beer in honor of the occasion. Thank you to everyone who took the time out of their busy lives to celebrate our sweet little pumpkin!
