I always assumed I'd write something that somehow captured Matilda's first year and our first year with her in our lives, but it was such a whirlwind that when her birthday rolled around I was at a loss for words. Brad and I turn into frat boys when we talk about her sometimes..."Dude. Best. Kid. Ever. She's so awesome. She's totally cute right? The cutest." And really, she is. The very best thing we could have ever imagined. It's been a wild 2nd year, and getting wilder and better each day.
We celebrated Matilda's 1st Birthday in Brooklyn, a very different weathered November than the one when she was born in California. In her second year she's run around in her first snow, sat next to me on the subway, held my hand crossing the street, made such dear little friends, and even toughed out her first emergency room visit and arm cast (after a gang fight in Prospect Park, of course--you should have seen the other guy). She's fed goats at the zoo, said hello to penguins, visited the Temple of Dendur at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, laughed at Picasso, and climbed around on the Alice in Wonderland statue in Central Park. She trick or treated for the first time this year, mostly saying "Treat! 'Ween (not to be confused with "wean!" which I may have muttered once or twice)!" and marveling at all the candy she collected without being too interested in eating it. She's taken a music class, started saying so many more things, and even picked up some yoga poses. She is exactly the girl I imagined she'd be when she was just a ball of kicks and flips growing in my belly. Exactly.
She is kind. She's the girl that comes up saying "Hi! Hi!" when another child is hurt on the playground.
She has a sweet tooth. She knows when we pass the bakery or the ice stand, and lets you know she knows it.
She is gentle. She met her first newborn baby this fall, and just wants to kiss and touch and love.
She is happy. And now she can tell us so in words and tackling hugs.
She is spirited. She will run 100 yards away from me in the park...but know I'm close behind. I love this give and take of the invisible umbilical cord. She will climb the ladders at the playground and refuse all help, but still rock to sleep in my arms. I could probably write a whole post about attachment, and what an amazing comfort it is for both of us.
She is tender. She climbs into bed with us in the morning for cuddles and nursing until she's ready to pop up and say hello again. She doesn't like weird costumes or masks. She falls down. She doesn't understand why some kids (or adults) aren't friendly right back to her.
She is wise. She doesn't always agree with me or follow my lead, but she always understands.
She is hilarious. You'd have to spend some time with her to get this one, but safe to say there is a lot of laughing in this house.
Two years ago we had walked down to the beach 100 times, timing contractions incessantly for 2 days straight, eaten Thanksgiving dinner, and were wondering when things were going to pick up and the real action would begin. We woke before the sun, spent the day bringing her into this world, and then the evening gazing at our new little friend. Her birth changed my life in every single way. Happy Birthday Little Friend!
Happy 2 Years from magical days on Vimeo.
