To Violet, on Her First Birthday

Dear Violet,

One year ago today you were born. It hardly seems possible, but here it is, your first birthday. Happy Birthday, my sweetheart.

You came into this world on a sunny May morning, eleven days past your due date. Although we had to nudge you along a bit (induce labor), once you realized you were gonna get born (Pitocin), you made sure that your journey into this world was swift and short (3 pushes!) - for which your mama thanks you. Even as a babe in utereo, you were an if-there's-a-job-to-be-done-let's-do-it-right kind of girl. You've always had moxie, kid.

It is amazing how quickly your first year has passed, with you blowing through each stage in your life - infant, baby and now, toddler - with such self-assurance and independence. When you were just 4 months old, you demanded food. Demanded it. Your first solid food was the veggies from mama's turkey pot pie, and you loved it. You never looked back. By the time you hit 5 months, you learned that you could get anywhere you wanted to go by rolling. We'd find you under the coffee table, or cozing up to Zoe, or staring out the sliding glass door. You never could sit still for very long. At age 6 months, not being one for moderation, you learned to sit, stand and cruise. The week you turned 11 months old, you started walking, and in that same week, you started talking, too. All of a sudden, our baby is the littlest big girl on the block. Where did the time go??

I have never known anyone with determination and stregnth of will to match yours, Vi. You never give up on what you want, never. This is a quality that will serve you well in later in life, but right now, is making for epic battles between you and Hazel. Just between you and me? I love it when you stand your ground, and hold fast to whatever toy Hazel is trying to swipe from you, while grunting in protest. I also love it when you succeed at keeping the toy out of Hazel's grasp, and then turn around and hand it to her after she's given up and moved on. You little so-and-so.

Speaking of Hazel, I know it doesn't always seem like it, but she loves you so much, Violet. So much. Sometimes she says she wishes she were bigger so she could carry you around with her, wherever she goes. You are the first person she thinks about when she wakes up in the morning, and you are the first person she kisses when we pick her up at preschool. Hazel studies your bravado -- the way you will let anyone hold you, the way you walk up to kids you don't know at the park, and try to play with them, and she delights in feeding you, because she knows you are game for eating anything, including sand. Hazel has millions of silly nicknames for you: Little Gnocchi, Little Chocolate Chip, Centerpiece, Waterfall and Beast among them. She's learning that life with a baby sister isn't always fun, but that when she is upset, you will be there for her, offering her your favorite toys, even your blanket. She is teaching you how to talk, and take care of your baby dolls, and how to play with sidewalk chalk. You are teaching her how to try new foods, how to open up to people, and how to give.

A year ago, Violet, your Dada and I could not imagine having enough love in our hearts to two girls... it just didn't seem possible. But then you came along, and our hearts simply exploded. We just couldn't get over you, with your faux-hawk and your tiny mouth like a little bow. We still can't get over you, with your wild curls, your huge, toothy grin and your many Violet-isms, including: curling your fingers up and squealing "ticka-ticka-ticka!" (tickle-tickle-tickle!) whenever you see anyone's toes, including your own; calling Hazel's Mardi Gras beads "ooh la laa!"s; and carrying rocks from the driveway around with you and chit-chatting with them in your mooney, yappy way.

You are our joyous baby girl, our little Flower, Miss Violet Olivia. When you joined our family, you completed it, absolutely. My dream of giving my daughter a sister came true because of you, Vi. And what a sister -- what a daughter! -- you are. You amaze us, and we feel blessed to call you ours.

Happy First Birthday, Violet, and many happy returns!

Love,
Mama, Dada and Hazel