Every year on the eve of Annie’s birth, we pull ourselves up from the fatigue of holiday festivities and set to work hanging the birthday banner, making the card, setting out the gifts, baking a sweet treat and setting up her birthday throne.
All the to-do’s we enjoy ever so much nearly find themselves squelched as the previous days merry making have us running on fumes. This child of ours was born the day after Christmas.
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At 41 weeks 3 days and to the tune of castor oil, a beautiful team of birth doulas, Midwives, and the “Spinning Babies Lady” herself, a little shoulder dystocia (not quite by definition but exciting enough as it was), a birth tub, her big sister and Nana to welcome her, Annie Adeline entered the world at 9 pounds 4 ounces, 21 inches long.
Today we held her first party for friends in celebration of her sixth turn around the sun. Surrounded by three families we love and adore, we enjoyed quiet play while the mamas had a chance to chat, then were reveled by Miss Sara Logan and her story called Tatterhood, which the mamas loved as much as the children!
In lieu of the fondue pot that I wasn’t getting along with, I melted some raw cheddar curds, made some gluten free waffles and gently pulled the squares apart, and served this with apple and pear. We later sang Happy Birthday to my sweet girl with candles in these little numbers – yummo.…
Soon after, with just a couple of friends left, they eagerly bundled up to greet the fresh outdoor (bitter cold) air for some sledding and fun in the front yard. The poor child’s eyes were so exhausted, I can’t imagine a day more simple and lovely yet so full just for her.
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She has stolen my heart once again. I can still feel her heels pushing up on my ribs as she rotated out of me into the warm water of the birth tub on the night she was born. A night full of wisdom and guidance, for in labor earlier that day, I went for a hike in the snow and looked up to see an owl surrounded by bright blue skies, peering down at me from a branch in a large maple tree and knew all would be well.
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And all is oh so very well.
