Margot: One Year Old

My precious Margot,

Today you are one year old.  I can hardly believe that an entire 365 days have passed since you came into this world.  It was such an exciting time.

The night before you were born, I told your daddy that something felt different.  I wasn't yet in labor, but somehow I knew you were coming.  And the next morning, there you were.  They handed you to me, and I fell instantly in love with my little girl.

You have so many wonderful qualities- and some that I think might get you into trouble in a few years!

You are sweet.  You give hugs and kisses.  When you see your daddy walk in the door from work, you RUN to him.  He picks you up, and you lay your head on his shoulder, hugging him with your arms.  I think that might be the best part of his day.  You, little one, have that man wrapped right around your tiny finger.  You give big open-mouthed kisses to us, and even to your baby dolls.  You try to hug and kiss and love on your brother, but he doesn't keep still enough for you to get that close.  We can see how very much you love him.  Hang in there, sweet girl.  Someday he'll realize how much you love him, and how much he loves you.  I promise, one day he'll give into those hugs, and maybe even squeeze you back.

You are so sassy.  From the time you were only a few weeks old, you let us know when you were unhappy with us.  You sometimes have an angry cry- a cry not of hunger or pain, but a cry that tells us that we've somehow wronged you.  Lately, even though you have no words, I'm pretty confident that you've started to talk back to us.  If we tell you no, you throw us an angry grunt...Right now, it's pretty hilarious.  I'm pretty sure in a year or two, it won't be so funny.  And yet I'm glad you have this sass in you.  When the time comes for you to interact with other kids, I hope you won't be bullied.  I hope you'll stand up for yourself like the strong little lady that I believe you are.

You are curious.  You have recently learned how to open cabinets, and you open them all frequently to see what's inside.  (I'll give you a hint: it's the same pots, pans, and Tupperware that were in there yesterday, and the day before, and the day before that.  But carry on.  I'll pick them up and put them away, so that you can get them out again.)  If someone is reading a book or looking at a screen, you grab on and pull down so that you can see, too.  You won't be left out!  Hold onto that inquisitiveness.  You will learn so much in life.

You love to dance.  If you hear music, even if it's just a television theme song, you'll stop whatever you're doing to bounce up and down to the music.  Never stop dancing to the music, Margot, because it's a beautiful thing to see that joy in you.

My girl, my little lady- you have brought so much joy to our family.  You are everything I could have ever hoped for in a daughter.  I am so glad to call you mine.

Love you forever and always,
Mama