Total Denial

I'm in complete denial of the fact that tomorrow is February 4th - not that I have a problem with that date, per se, it is just that my little one is going to be 21 months old tomorrow.

How did this happen? Where did the past 21 months go?!?! It's so cliche, but it is true that time flies - particularly after you have a baby.


Here's my little girl one year ago - isn't she sweet? I have always loved this picture - she has this little impish grin like she is thinking about a secret joke that only she and her mommy share. This was taken at a time when my little one still sat in one place, and was content in her Exersaucer (a total life saver). I was still nursing by night, and pumping during the day in a broom closet at work (yes, it left a lot to be desired). She would babble some in her own magical little language, but nothing really was discernable.

In the blink of an eye, fast forward one year - my, what a difference a year makes (please excuse the quality of the photo, it was taken on my iPhone).


The hair on this child's head alone is such a substantial difference! I generally put a cute bow in her hair in the morning to keep her hair out of her eyes but she usually pulls that out within an hour - as is evidenced above. Unlike a year ago, she NEVER stays in one place, not even in her crib! We are constantly on the go - she has gotten an independent edge and likes to walk on her own. She will pull herself up onto most furniture - these pictures were taken in the ENT's office on Monday. Little miss decided she wanted to get up in the seat and read her book, and so she did! Long gone are the days of nursing - now she is too busy feeding herself all kinds of treats (Goldfish, yogurt-covered raisins and string cheese are favorites). We also have a little chatterbox on our hands - she loves to chat and even seems to say "Hi" and "Bye Bye" with a Southern accent! I find now that we have to be more careful with what we say around her - I slipped and said "shit" the other day and for about five minutes I heard this sweet little voice repeat the word. If I told her no, she would just smile even bigger and say it again! Yes, I'm all prepared to accept my "Mother of the Year" award.

She has such a sweet personality - though we are getting the occasional glimpse of a temper, but I assume that is to be expected at this age. Alexandra enters a room and has everyone wrapped around her little finger within a second. She will take a particular liking to you if you'll chat with her about Elmo and the rest of the Sesame Street gang.

As we sat in the waiting room of the ENT's office the other day, I couldn't help but watch her, smile and wonder...where had my baby gone to? I watched intently as she walked over to the book display and collected book after book, returning to me with an expectant grin on her face and saying "Mommy? Read! Read!" I watched as she confidently joined a few other children at the fishtank, and as she played with a girl who was a little bit older. It occurred to me that I was no longer looking at a baby, but at a little girl....and a small piece of my heart broke. Please do not think that I am sad that my little girl is getting bigger - every day holds the promise of something new and fun, watching the discovery of the world through her young eyes. However, the fact that 2 is around the corner is a vivid reminder that these moments with her as a young impressionable child are fleeting - and that we must make the most of every moment.