My Birthday Baby:

We had a lovely party. The weather was gorgeous, most of our friends were able to make it, and we had a house full of relatives as well. -And of course a birthday dress:

...and a pregnant best friend (mine AND hers are the same person):

...and a dolly wagon from aunts and uncles and cousins:

...and a teeny-tiny bike from Daddy:

...and blocks and a drum from Mommy: (she thought the block box made for an excellent way to get up on to the coffee table).

(I love that she's old enough to just join a group of kids with no prompting:)

...and then there were the pink and white cupcakes from Aunt Francesca and cousin Vincent:

It was all very nice, and I felt so proud. Then yesterday was her actual birthday, and everyone had gone home, the house was quiet, it was raining and chilly, and we came down with a cold. Then our ancient, bitchy dog bit her on the cheek which really wasn't fair because: A) she was just lightly patting her and trying to be sweet. -and B) you shouldn't get bitten by the dog on your birthday. -and C) it really hurt her feelings. But it wasn't too bad, and she harbors no grudges apparently.

I had time alone to reflect all day, and I just couldn't stop beaming at my girl. She is such a miracle to me. One minute all she can do is squirm and squeak, and the next she's throwing pieces of kitty-cat puzzle into my bath water, along with my flip-flops, because she actually has a real sense of humor now. -Or she's shaking her head from side to side while screaming: "Nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh!!!!!", because she's a person capable of telling me "No". -Or she understands that Daddy is in the cell phone, so she yells "DA-DA!!!" whenever she sees one.

In some ways it seems like a million years since I was pregnant and gave birth to Rayona, because we've been through so much since then. In other ways it went by pretty quickly. I really enjoy this age. One is great.