Riley Clair

Today is Riley's first birthday, and I can't describe first birthdays any other way than the saddest, most thrilling day. Such an oxymoron I know. Jamie brought our little birthday girl into our bathroom this morning and we both just beamed, knowing today was such a special day. We sang Happy Birthday to her in unison, as she arched her back and whined...almost begging us to stop the horror. This is a huge birthday for Jamie and I. It marks our final "planned" first birthday. We are high fiving every month that goes by where we aren't pregnant. Both of us are fully settled in our family of five. I have such high hopes for all of my children, but today is Riley's special day and so as I reflect on her past year I can make a few distinct observations...................

She LOVES her daddy. She loves his special way of holding her, and demands him as soon as he walks into view. Of course there is never any objection on his part either. Who knew I'd be competing with the cutest, softest other woman in my house. She loves to nurse. Both boys weaned themselves at 9 and 11 months. Not Ry. She loves the closeness and routine of being with mommy. She adores her brothers, each in very different ways. Joshua looks out for her and takes the true role of big brother. Making sure she is yelled at when she dips her fingers in Kidd's water bowl, pulls her away from the TV when she is attempting to push buttons, makes silly faces at her to distract her from rolling away during a dipaer change, seriously enjoys watching her laugh, which in turn makes him laugh, is excited when she accomplishes a milestone, and the list goes on. Whereas with George, she loves how he actually plays with her. Get down on the ground and play, type of play. He will keep her company playing cars or pulling books off of the bookshelf. George can make Riley belly laugh which is big family fun in our house. He does something silly to set her off, and then they both repeat the game over and over again. Riley loves to eat. She can pile off three scrambled eggs easily. She love watermelon, cheese, blackeyed peas, frozen peas, sausage, burgers, chicken, fish, shrimp, cottage cheese, applesauce, pasta, casseroles, yogurt, crackers...Im writing this list out so in 8 months when she wont eat a thing, at least I can look back and know she got off to a great start eating. Ry loves her bath, swinging on the swing in our backyard, watching her brothers push trucks, and just recently going to the beach. She is very at home along the shoreline. The waves rolling in and out covering her legs with bubbly salt water. She splashes in the tide pools licking her salty fingers and then looks up at me to make sure its okay. She plays with sand toys attmepting to dig. She is everything I imagined a little girl to be like. I can't wait for all of the memories we will make, and relish in the ones already made. I am so proud of her without her even doing anything yet. I just know God has wonderful moments planned for her. I'm honored to be a part of that. I'm crying thinking of how sad I am that my baby is growing up, but so thrilled to have witnessed this first year. Which takes me back to how sad yet thrilling this birthday is. I love you Riley Clair!