Elizabeth,
I lifted the idea for writing an open letter to you from Dooce. She’s so well-known in some circles that her name has been verbed! The only way that relates to your birthday is I’ve been reading her stuff since your mother and I found out you were on the way, a year and nearly nine months ago. So we’ve been living with the idea of you for almost two years now, but today is the one year anniversary of having you as fully-autonomous member of the family. It’s been really great! I like how we’re learning to communicate with each other, and keeping up with you as you explore everything within reach whereever you are means there’s never a dull moment. I look at things a lot differently since you came around.
The first bit after you were born was a tough time emotionally. I was so scared at first! I’d been nervous about cutting your umbilical cord, but the doctor grabbed you away so fast and did it herself when she saw the meconium you’d inhaled because of the long, hard labor. We got to hold you for only a few minutes before you went to the neo-natal intensive care unit (NIC-U) at Medical College of Georgia. It was quite strange to have all the energy and excitement and work of the labor, then to try to go to sleep early that morning without you.
That was exactly a year ago as I write this. Ten hours after giving birth, we sprung your mom loose from St. Joseph’s where you were born so we could come over and visit with you at MCG. It took us only a few visits, listening to your hearty crying and your strong lungs, to realize you were not a sick baby. Some of the other babies there were a few months premature, and were barely the size of your head! On Monday the 2nd of Augusta, the doctors finally agreed you weren’t sick either, and we got to take you home.
During your first month or two, my favorite times were taking naps with you. You’re still very cute when you’re sleeping, but now you’re much more fun when you’re awake! You like to play with everything you can get your hands on, including the animals. Sometimes you run us ragged following you around the house! Your excitement about everything you see and do is contagious, and can easily work your puppy Finley in to a complete frenzy of happiness. It’s great fun to watch!
Thanks for a great year, and I look forward to many more! I just hope they don’t go too fast!
Love,
Dad
