#41: A Full Year with Genevieve

Dear G, 

You've been with us one full year (okay, as I type this on the morning of your birthday it is not *technically* a full year until later this evening but close enough)! Truly, having you in our lives has been delightful. Watching you grow has been a privilege. Even as a tiny newborn you showed us that you were relaxed and calm, yet also strong and active. Each month this dichotomy of traits has manifested more. When you are ready for a nap, you come and cuddle into my lap or simply stop where you are and rest your head (and wait for me to scoop you up). But when you are awake, you are chattering away, cruising (swiftly and smoothly) around the house, and usually attempting to carry something in your mouth as you do so.  When you dislike something or are "done" you let us know, but you do great around different people and in different environments. We love how in the car you rarely need entertainment beyond looking at your surroundings out the window and the long tag on your car seat. You have incredible focus and concentration. 

You love music. We have two playlists "For Genevieve" and "Sleepy G" that we stream to the tv. You love anticipating and watching the album art change when the song does. A few favorites are "upside down" by Jack Johnson, "Into the Open Air" from the Brave soundtrack, "Trashin' the Camp" from Tarzan, and Meghan Trainor songs. We listen while you eat your solids (kibs) and have twirling dance parties that usually lead you into a giggle fit and your cheesiest grin. You actually use vocal inflection yourself and are a chatty chatterbox. Lots of dadda and mama talk too. You love your lullabies before bed, but you always get one last bit of sillies out before easily falling asleep in your crib. You love plucking the guitar strings as daddy plays and singing along with me. 

You are crawling about incredibly fast. You make these silly noises of excitement as you cruise and the pitter patter of your knees and palms smacking the floor will be a sound, I always hold dear. Your knees now currently have permanent red spots and you're starting to get bruises here and there from various "bonks." You have your routine paths that you predictably follow. One for example is leaving the living room carpet, pulling up to the circular metal end table, beating it like a drum, then moving into the kitchen, stopping to flip the corner of the rug, and then b-lining it as fast as possible to the dog food bowls in the mud room (probably because you know we are close behind and ready to scoop you up). You are smoothly pulling yourself up to feet on all-of-the-things now as of last week. It is so fun to watch your skill and confidence build as you practice. Though you still have the tendency to trust fall when you are "done" so we stay nearby to assist. 

Burlioz is your confidant. He watches you closely and if a "stranger" gets too close is quick to step in front of you to block them or barks to ask for space. If I keep him out of the nursery while you're playing, both of you go to the gate and try to get to the other (so obviously I let him in). You used your splash pad for the first time yesterday and he was lifeguard on duty, staying very close. You love sucking on your stuffed animals' noses (Lovey Leopard and Lovey Marie especially) and even have done this to Burlioz several times. Heidi Rae loves keeping close to the stroller on walks and kissing your toes. 

I find it hard to say which you love more: reading your books or eating them. You have eight teeth (and two molars coming in) and are able to chew holes into the corners of your books (that rival the ability of Macchiato). In fact, I had to move your books into the closet for now and get them out when it is time to read. I can say "Genevieve do you want to read a booky?" And you will look at your bookshelves and smile. Near the end of each wakeful period, you slow down and want to read a book or two. You understand when the book closes it is "finished" and will go "uhhhh?!" or start to fuss; though it quickly turns into a grin when I pick up the next book or start again. Touch and Feel Puppies and Kittens is your favorite book--hands down. Your daddy and I have it memorized and if we start reciting it as you're getting into something, you stop in your tracks to look at us. One of my favorite memories to date is you dragging your big, Your My Little Honey Bunny book and deer blanket into my lab, clearly asking to read and be close. While you are independent you are oh so loving and it means so much more accepting your attention on your own terms. 

You love water. Whether you're playing in your bathtub, standing attentively at your water table, or splish-splashing on your splash pad. You blow bubbles in your drinking cups and love splashing when water gets on your highchair. You also love the weaning table daddy built you and go up to it and look back at us, asking to sit and play. You chill as I run with you and tolerate 6 miles like a champ now. You ran with me in my first race postpartum and we took second in my age group! All the runners we passed commented on your happy and relaxed demeanor, and I joked how you were clearly the one doing all the work. You've been loving our playdates with friends and Jack and Avery are your besties. You love grabbing their faces and poking them (with your newly developed pointer skills). Last week Calyn and I laughed as you took your ice cream cone teether and "shared" it with Avery... twice... putting it to her mouth and grinning at us. What a great little helper and friend you already are. 

I could fill this letter with pages of moments and memories, because each day you fill our lives with moments we cherish. You are only a value-add to our lives and truly feel that everything is a little better when you are included. We are better people (and strive to grow and become better still) because of you. Somehow watching you grow and develop reminds us that we too are not done growing and developing. I am working on being calm, flowing, and present. Daddy is working on being present and prioritizing quality time. We are building a life that enables you to thrive and not just survive. Though while we are intentional, we leave space to meet you where you are (and who you are). We realize as parents we cannot protect you from everything, but we are also aware that as parents we are your models, mentors, and advocates. This is why we are mindful of our habits, words, and activities. We do not see you as a little person that ought to mold into what we need, but rather construct a new way that is optimal for all of us. We do not strive to keep you protected and safe from discomfort, but we are mindful of your environment, what we expose you to, and what resources you have access. As you grow, we continue to let go, give developmentally appropriate space, and allow you to feel the range of emotions--with us nearby if you need us. 

In each of these letters I have written you a poem. In the quarter-year letter I chose a haiku because like a haiku, you were tiny yet impactful. In your six-month letter I chose an acrostic poem because you were really developing your own personality and coming into who "Genevieve" is. For your three-quarters letter, I wrote a forward-and-backward poem since you were nine months in/nine months out. For this letter, I chose to write lyrics to a song and daddy made the music with his guitar. We still need to record it, but I will conclude with the lyrics. 

Genevieve, my girl, my heart we loved you from the very start. You're perfect, my dear, the world is so much better because you are here. 

With all my heart, 
Mama 

G's Song 

My girl, my heart
We loved you so much from the very start
You’re perfect, my dear
The world is so much better because you are here

We didn’t know how great it would be,
We love being daddy and mommy.

You crawl right now but soon you will run
We’re here for each stage just having fun.

the world may have so much pain and strive
You’re proof of the inherent goodness in life

You make us want to be better and grow
Your impact on us is bigger than you can know.

My girl, my heart
We loved you so much from the very start
You’re one now, my dear,
The person you’re becoming is unknown yet clear.

You’re calm yet intense
and small but oh so wise
We get lost looking into your gorgeous eyes

You’re independent, confident and silly too
We loving watching everything that you do

We can’t wait to see
All the wonderful versions of G
that there will be.

My girl my heart,
We loved you so much from the very start

To us,
you’ll always be
A light in our lives,
Our precious Genevieve

My girl, my dear
Our lives are forever better cause you’re here.