It’s been a year since Clementine was born. Unbelievable. She’s just a baby! But she’s a baby who says “eyes!” and is trying to walk, a baby whose sun rises and sets in her big brother, a baby who has a giggle and makes me melt and a smile that stops me midstep or midword. In short, she is a delight and a wonder. We are not teaching her as much as we taught Lincoln at that age, but it’s a good reminder that learning still happens. She has more teachers now, and she learns on her own.
One year ago I was walking around in labor, hooked up to an IV (GBS+, for those of you who know about those things), and a few hours after that photo was taken, she was on my chest, warm and pink with those funny froggy legs and squished face and I kept saying “hello baby! hello baby!” and I wouldn’t let them take her to do the exam or cut the cord or any of those things. I just wanted us to be together in this new way, face to breast, quiet and uncertain, before the whirlwind began. We welcomed her into our family, and I am so grateful to know her.

A year later, she is still warm on my chest, but our connection is more certain and fluid. She sleeps on me, with us, most of the time, and that makes it less painful to be separated from her 4 days a week. (Though I have brought her to work a fair bit–thank you Laura!!!!)

Happy birthday, darling Clementine.