bridget's first birthday

Yesterday, my little girl turned one. The fact that this little girl, this little life was once a part of me, literally inside me, still amazes me when I look at her. And I'm amazed when I suddenly realize she's getting bigger, older, smarter, etc. She's talking. She's almost walking. She laughs, cries, pouts, fakes tears, pretends to talk on the phone--amazing. To me, Bridget is just amazing.

We started the day by eating breakfast at Kerby's and getting pictures taken at Portrait Innovations--her first professional pictures, courtesy of Papa (my dad). The rest of the day, for me, was a blur--run home, frantically try to clean the kitchen, set the table, frost the cupcakes, prepare the taco dinner for fifteen adults and five children (two of whom didn't eat it, since they're still on the young side), and "direct" Al in house cleaning, chilling the beverages, and sorting through pictures to give to his family. (I'm bossy, and I'm blessed to have a husband who puts up with it even when he doesn't like it.) Thankfully my sister and dad arrived early to help (actually, dad was at breakfast and the photos with us). The party got off to a slow start, people arriving between 3:30 and 4:30 (the start time was 3:30), and I had to spend most of the time grinding coffee and making it for everyone in my two-cup coffee pot, over and over and over. Then, before I knew it, it was present time. Bridget wasn't really interested since she was getting hungry, so I rushed it and then made her bottle and set dinner out for everyone. I sat for about three minutes before giving up my seat and finally eating cold tacos and preparing Bridget's dinner (tacos), which her Grandma fed to her for me.

Then, finally, cake. Bridget loved being sung to by everyone and got off to a slow start on her birthday cake. (Seriously, the video is about twenty-five minutes long). But eventually she was covered in gray frosting (white frosting with black and dark pink flowers=one gray mess on a baby) and cake crumbs, and loving every minute of it. She managed to get some in her mouth, too, as was evidenced by the St. Patrick's Day colored poop in her diaper this morning. (Ha! How it turned that color from the frosting, I'll never know.) We had to hose her down with the shower head afterwards, which she also loved--this girl loves to play in water. Just doesn't like it on her face yet--but no fits, even if it gets in her eyes. Everyone left shortly afterward, and the evening was over and I was exhausted. My legs still hurt. I'm not used to standing that much in one day.

Seriously, it was a wonderful day. If my tone sounds a little melancholy, though, it's because it is. I was so busy preparing and playing hostess that I barely had time to spend with my daughter yesterday. I haven't been able to find my own camera for two months, and am not too fond of Al's, so he took most of the pictures--and I wish I had so many more, and a lot better pictures. (I'm not to fond of his point and click and then look shooting style. And half the time they're blurry and I have to delete them anyway. Sigh.) I'm not complaining, really, but I think next year I'll just do something small--maybe just a tiny me, Al, and Bridget affair--so that I can enjoy the day with my daughter. After all, the day is a celebration of her--and I want to be able to show her how much I love her, care for her, and how special she is to me (us) on this very special day.

ka, ka

"Ka, ka" is now actually one of two words: "Clap, clap" or "quack, quack" depending on the context. Likewise, there's only a slight difference between "baby" and "bye-bye"--baby is more drawn out and has more of an "iee" sound at the end of it, and when Bridget says bye-bye (and in the right context, too!) she makes little waving motions with her hands, palms turned in toward herself. For me, though, the funnest part of it all is beginning to understand what actually comes out of my daughter's mouth!

Last Sunday (February 28th) was Bridget's official first step, although an unsteady one at that. Since then, the most she's taken is three. Al encourages her every night to walk to him. Mostly, she tries to stretch her arms out and grab him while her butt's still leaning on the couch or until she end's up crouching over and plays with the carpet. Other times, she'll literally launch herself at him--fall forward with arms outstretched and take one or two steps on the way into his arms. The tiny steps she has taken have been pretty hesitant, but I'm counting on having to chase her around the house pretty soon.

This week is Bridget's last official week as a baby, although I'm thinking of her more and more as a toddler every day. Her first birthday is Saturday and it's been strange to me these past few weeks to be planning my kid's birthday party. I can't believe how fast the first year has gone--if this is any indication of the future, she'll be moving out before I know it. One thing's for sure: I couldn't have asked for a better kid to teach me how to be a mommy. I love her!