Dear Chickpea,

So today you’re 1. It hardly seems possible that 365 days have passed since you came into our lives, and that one year ago today we were desperately trying to figure out how to keep you quiet so that we could pass out from exhaustion. A year ago this week we learned that you were “tongue-tied,” and that we would need to clip your little frenulum so that you could eat and gain weight. Wow, how sweet a break our ears received when that little tongue of yours got the snippy-snip. OH. That’s why she was crying. I can’t believe how high maintenance she is – she actually expects to digest that which she eats.

I estimate we’ve changed about 1800 diapers of yours, at the very least. We probably have around 3000 more to go. Let’s be honest, kiddo, this is not my favorite part of the job. Could you at least do me a favor and not enjoy raisins so much? Your pipes are running full steam. Man, the second you show any interest at all in having Strawberry Shortcake on your underpants, onto the toilet you go.

So yeah, there’s crying, there’s whining, there’s poop, there’s snot. But there is some pretty darn good stuff, too. Like the snuggling on my shoulder when you’re exhausted, and the tapping of my arm with your hand when you want to show me affection. Your laugh can’t be beat – biological clocks must be exploding in the room when you laugh out loud. I love it when you scrunch up your nose to give me a big smile and show your oversized, gappy teeth. You enjoy playing Peek-a-Boo with your pink velvet blankie, especially when I’m driving in traffic – you’ll sit there with the blanket on your head for who-knows-how-long, until I get to a light and turn around to check on you. You bounce with excitement when Piper O’Possum announces the impending arrival of The Backyardigans, and your bounce turns to a near jump when that blue penguin Pablo shows up. And I’m personally proud at your love of books – it’ll be quiet for a bit and I’ll wonder where you are, and I’ll find you, your bookshelf empty and you, sitting on the floor with your novels encircling you. You particularly like to read them upside-down.

You’re incredibly social. People think you’re the sweetest baby ever, and for the most part they’re right. But some of it is because Mom and Dad bore you, and you need social interaction for your mood to lift. So that’s why we were able to delay your afternoon nap by two hours today, so that we could enjoy time with your birthday guests. I suppose that comes in handy, but we might rue the day when you’re begging for two birthday parties, because one is just not enough.

Overall, kiddo, you’re the biggest challenge I’ve ever faced. You know how to tear me down and press my buttons; who knew you had such superhero powers in a two-foot frame? But aside from Daddy and Jesus, you really, truly are the Best Thing that’s ever happened to me. I’m so glad you decided to join our family. I love you in ways I can’t fathomly describe. Happy Birthday, dear daughter – here’s to many more.

posted: 06 February 11
under: family