Birthday girl (N)

Today you turned one…and what a day it has been.

Starting with an early morning hike at 8am, we let you walk barefoot on the sand (and giant ants) at the top of the hill and you loved it. Honestly, not a lot of things seem to faze you so far.

Then I tried to put you to sleep before the party and succeeded a grand total of 30 minutes. You probably knew that it was your big day and didn’t want to miss a moment of it.

So you played and you played and you played. And this was before the party…before anyone arrived. I was so worried that you’d use up all your energy by the time it started but I should have learnt by now the boundless bundle of pure energy that comprises Natalie.

The guests arrived and you practically threw yourself in the pool to play with them. There’s a few times when I was carrying you in the pool when you purposely kicked away and dunked your head fully in the water but each time you wouldn’t choke.

Even when it was cold and you started shivering you cried every time we wanted to take you out. So we put you back in twice to enjoy a bit more, but only because it was your birthday.

Then on to the cupcakes and blowing of the candles…which the other kids kindle helped you to blow out after singing the song.

Once all the kids had left, you did take a short catnap while some of the adults socialised but I guess you were entitled to that after all the fun and exhaustion. You woke up promptly to keep on playing all the way till the night when you slept.

Exactly one year ago, you came into this world kicking and screaming.

Tiny. Perfect. Beautiful.

And there’s something special about the first ever birthday. It’s like you’re announcing to everyone, “I got through 12 months where I wasn’t really aware of what was going on around me. But now I’m starting to understand things and I’m here to stay and make my mark on this world”.

I guess all I have to say to that is, “You go, girl. I’m behind you all the way.”

Happy birthday.

Love,

Dad

Categories: Letters, Life, Parenthood, Peanut