Just One Year

Rory,

We knew your name before we knew you were on your way and we knew you would fill the spot waiting just for you in our lives. As I prepared for your birth I knew intellectually that I would love you, that there would be just enough room in my heart for you and Jilli to swing side by side. But when you were born I learned instantly that love is always multiplied by itself. This idyllic existence of mine grew exponentially when I kissed your tiny head for the very first time. It was only a year ago today.

The thing that strikes me this morning, after I have sung you Happy Birthday for the very first time, is that you are the same sweet baby that curled into my chest but you are also much more. At one you chafe at me treating you like my baby. You are fiercely independent. You squirm when you want to be put down. You only want to eat the food that everyone else is eating and you want a cup that looks just like Jilli's. You scream and kick your legs, you launch your head backwards and arch your back when I refuse to let you brush your own teeth (4 now!) or take away the toilet paper that just moments earlier you were dunking in and out of the toilet. In just one year you have changed so profoundly from the baby who wanted to sleep in my arms to the child who chases her sister and grabs the dogs' tails.

Your little laugh sounds so sweetly in my ears but resonates in my soul. You will always be my perfect little Rorybear. My heart is yours. Happy Birthday Little Bear.

Mommy