Family Notebook

Dearest Ria Emily,

You may be wondering why your 1 year letter is late. See, the week of your birthday was a very hectic one. Dadima’s birthday was the day before yours, then you had two parties and mummy’s birthday after that. Then mummy remembered something. Your Great Grandma Emily’s birthday is on the 13th…today. So, to make your birthday letter doubly special, I thought I would write it today.

The last year with you has been nothing short of amazing. There were many highs and many lows and all things in between but you have always remained our shining star. As the clock turned 12, I thought back to last year when you were still in my belly and I was willing you to come out with every ounce of my being. I remembered how scared I was for you and the sweet relief that washed over me when your daddy placed you on my chest. The memories are very bittersweet.

This year for your birthday we took you out to one of your favorite places, Eat Street. You gouged yourself on as much food as you were able then we took you over to the baby rides. You went in the teacup, rode the carousel and a motorbike, went on a boat with mummy and daddy then topped the day off with a yummy butter and sugar free chocolate ice cream cone.

The festivities weren’t over then. When we got home there was a party waiting to get started. There were pink and white balloons everywhere and a very yummy strawberry cream cake. Everybody who came showered you in beautiful toys, clothes and jewelry. You really are treated like a little princess. You weren’t very interested in your cake, but neither would I with a 40 person crowd looking on.

Baa also celebrated her birthday with yours. Your great grandmother’s birthday was not ever recorded so when you celebrated your first birthday, Baa celebrated hers too.

On Sunday, October 1st we had your big formal party. You woke up with a very bad fever and weren’t feeling yourself at all. We felt terribly for you but the party had to go on and it was beautiful. You spent your time snuggling with select people while everybody enjoyed food and cake. You perked up a little every now and then, just long enough to play with the other kids. Your little friend Lola helped by cutting your cake for you while you snoozed through flowerpot crackers and along with Ruby and a little effort from you later on, helped us open the many wonderful gifts.

I really should let you know what you have been up to over the past month. First off, you took your first steps! We were very excited but you still aren’t interested in walking. We know you can do it as you have shown us a few times but you’ll do it in your own time. Your vocabulary grows by the day and by my last count you were up to 26 words.

You blessed us with sleeping through the night, finally. Sometimes you have a bit of trouble but for the most part you get what this sleep thing is all about. Mummy is a much cheerier person now, as are you.

You have started to become more independent and wanting to do more big girl things. Though you haven’t mastered it, you really want to feed yourself with a spoon and get very angry when I try and do it for you.

Daddy turned your car seat around and now you get to see what we do as we’re driving along. You don’t get frustrated so easily anymore and you really like taking the world in. You were elated at this new view of the world.

You’ve picked up on how to do Round-and-round-the-garden and This Little Piggy Went to Market on yourself and on other people. You also know how to answer what Neo, Panther, Dadaji and Amrita say with separate answers.

The list could go on and on as you blossom before our eyes with every passing day.

Happy 1 year Ria!
With all my love,
Mummy

xoxoxoxoxox