Today Z. turns one. It's hard to believe it—she is still such a tiny little peanut and time has gone by so fast. Well, faster for us since we didn't get to share the whole first year with her.
She is sweet and funny and has the most beautiful little mew of a voice. She says, "hmmm, hmmm, hmmm," as softly as you can imagine from her crib in the morning when she is ready to get up. Her eyes are deep and wonderful. She has a searching, slightly worried look which melts your heart and causes you to rush over and kiss her bald little head a million times. Her fingers are long and delicate. She is getting stronger and sometimes the strength of her grasp is amazing. You wonder about those tiny hands with the long fingers, but they are a perfect microcosm of Z. as we know her today: tiny, strong, determined, affectionate, beautiful.
She loves her brother E. and follows him around the room with her eyes. He never fails to make her smile, and he is the one that can make her laugh the easiest. She always wants to touch his head, and she touches him gently, seeming to stroke his hair. She also accepts his somewhat rough kisses and hugs with one of her inscrutable smiles.
She's not your typical one-year-old today. There is an element of sadness to that. But then again, we aren't your typical family. We love her for who she is today and the person she will become, question marks and all.
Thanks, Z., for your willingness to give us a chance, and for your acceptance of this strange new life we are offering you. Happy Birthday! May we have the privilege to share many, many more together.
Posted by grrlTravels at October 24, 2005 8:30 AMHappy birthday, beautiful Z!
What a lovely post, Grrl, couldn't help but get weepy over your girl's bday because of it. Yes, we need pictures, we absolutely need pictures!
Posted by: Shelba at October 24, 2005 10:21 AMPass the tissues! Just three more days and I will finally meet my niece. Our bags are packed and ready to go.
I was actually getting ready to gripe about not enough pictures.
Amy, your writing amazes me time and time again. You need to be writing books or at least magazine articles.
Happy Happy Birthday Z! I spent the better part of Sunday thinking of your daughter and wishing her (and you) only the best.
Amy, thanks again for sharing your family's story with us. I am routing for you.
Z, Have lots of birthday cake with REALLY sweet icing on it, will ya?
Posted by: Sparky at October 24, 2005 10:42 AMHappy Birthday Z! I hope your day is filled with lots of kisses and hugs.
Posted by: shelly at October 24, 2005 11:02 AMHappy Birthday, Z!! I hope today is a wonderful, joyfilled day for all of you. And I hope you get some sleep too (that's number one at the top of my list right now).
I didn't realize our girls had birthdays so close! N. will be one next week (the 2nd).
I am so in love with Z, by the way. This was such a sweet post.
Posted by: Heather at October 24, 2005 11:22 AMThat was so beautifully written and now I have by "tears in eyes" face on.
Happy Birthday Z, love ya!
Happy Birthday Z!! Wish that we could be coming in with all of the cousins to meet you. Although the last thing you need is J AND Q...!! : ) The girls, C & E, would be much more gentle and quiet. Amy, this was a beautiful post that will be so special to Z someday when she is grown. She will know how very much she is loved by her mother.
Posted by: heather at October 24, 2005 12:33 PMHappy 1st birthday, Z!
Posted by: Jen at October 24, 2005 12:46 PMHappy Birthday Beautiful Girl! And Amy, I know you will make this day special and memorable for your girl.
Big kisses from Brooklyn.
Posted by: Figlet at October 24, 2005 12:49 PMThat's so beautiful.
Happy Birthday Z! We Blogistanis love you!
Beautifully written! You and you little one are amazing! Happy Birthday, Z!
Posted by: heidi at October 24, 2005 1:34 PMHappy Birthday sweet Z.
Posted by: Brooklyn Mama at October 24, 2005 2:39 PMBest wishes for Z - have a very happy birthday!
Beautiful post. It's thrilling to hear that E and Z are taking to each other well. We're thinking of you often.
Posted by: Deanna at October 24, 2005 2:58 PMLovely.
Posted by: afrindiemum at October 24, 2005 3:13 PMHappy Birthday, Z!
And Amy, what a lovely tribute to your beautiful little girl.
xxoo
Posted by: Anna H. at October 24, 2005 3:40 PMhappy birthday to zee
happy birthday to zee
happy birthday to zee-eeeee
happy birthday to zee!
*throws (edible) confetti and manages to make a squeak emerge from a party horn*
Posted by: wix at October 24, 2005 3:51 PMHow wonderful! [*sniff sniff*] Happy Birthday, sweet girl!
Posted by: mrs figby at October 24, 2005 4:43 PMHappy Birthday!!
Posted by: Sonja at October 24, 2005 6:11 PMHappy Birthday sweetie girl! That was a wonderful entry.
Posted by: Amyesq at October 24, 2005 9:39 PMHippo birdie two ewes to you and to Z and to the whole darn family!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Dawn at October 24, 2005 9:42 PMHappy Birthday! She is just lovely- and your family is just plain sweet.
Posted by: tshapedgirl at October 24, 2005 11:32 PMdelurking to wish Z a happy, happy birthday!
Posted by: hong kong girl at October 25, 2005 3:10 AMTell K that we like his shirt and that Jake is requesting a trip to a diner : )
Posted by: dana at October 25, 2005 7:31 AMBack to comment on the pics - beautiful!!!
Posted by: Figlet at October 25, 2005 10:36 AMYour post brought me to tears! Happy birthday to your little one.
Posted by: Melissa at October 25, 2005 4:18 PMShe's so cute! Happy birthday (a day late) to the amazing and sweet Z girl! What terrific pictures. Oh, how snuggleable!
Posted by: Tracie at October 25, 2005 8:56 PM