Gonna Have a Good Time!

My baby is a year old and loving life.  I realize I am completely trite- but how is Dell Harper a year old?

It seemed like yesterday I was trundling into the hospital, wrapped in a fuzzy cardigan and wool scarf, buoyed by my freshly polished red toenails and blown out hair (the joys of a scheduled c-section), after a sleepless night of quaking with nerves and anticipation.  I remember turning to Morgan before the doctor began the procedure, laughing and joking to staunch the chalky white pallor showing on his face.  Then the incredible, breathless wonder at meeting my darling girl, tiny and wrinkled, but already her own little self.  Subsisting on the rhythm of my baby and the hospital, the groggy, peaceful joy of holding and staring at her miniature hands, knowing that I will protect and love her with every ounce of my being.

Now 19 pounds, ten inches, and a year later, my teensy mewling baby is a cruising, laughing, passionate little person who loves to play all day long. She is about to walk any minute, and her arrivals and departures are announced with the slapping noises of her hands on the hardwood, crawling at top speed, invariably with a sippy cup of water hanging from her mouth.  Her life is filled with playing with her ball-popping elephant, Little People playsets, wooden puzzles and stacking cups, listening to toddler radio, and chasing Buddy around the house.

So we had a lovely little party, with family and godparents, lasagna and carrot cake (thanks, Mama for making the delicious cake).  Dell Harper loved her presents, but was most impressed with the balloons and carrot cake cupcakes.  It was a fitting way to celebrate the most exciting year of our lives, and the wonderful mundanity of daily life with our sweet, funny little girl.

Happy Birthday to Dell Harper!!