Hazel Ruth turns one today! What a year it has been, for better or worse. That has really made time fly by, but it’s been really wonderful to watch Hazel develop and become a big girl. She’s been a shining spot in the midst of difficult times.
From the start, Hazel has been a real go-getter. From a less-than two hour labor to rolling over at ten weeks to walking at ten months, she is not one to wait around–especially with a big brother to keep up with. She is sweet but very curious and just a little bit touchy when you don’t do things quite her way. But she’s generally very happy, laid back, and independent personality.
She impresses us every day with the new things she’s learning: starting to say words, becoming more dexterous and agile, responding to your comments and interacting. She loves to play with toys and wandering around the house to see what she can get into.
Turning one is a big transition, from a new room at school to weaning to nap schedules. She is doing well with most of these adjustments; however, today is her first full day in the one year old class at daycare. It’s much more structured than the infant class, and while I think she’s ready for it and will thrive there, we’ll probably hit a few bumps as she figures out sippy cups, lunch in the cafeteria, and a one-nap-a-day schedule. And also wearing shoes all day and not ripping them off every five minutes.
She is very much a mommy’s girl, but lately she’s had some very big smiles for dad. She’s been saying “daddy” all week and lights up when he comes home in the evening. She has started giving kisses, which is mouth wide open and pressed against your face…moist but adorable. And we are also getting some hugs, which is very sweet.
Sleep has never been Hazel’s shining success, and I regret to report that even by age one she hasn’t figured out the consistent sleeping-through-the-night thing. She’s getting better about putting herself back to sleep, but sometimes we still have to go in and comfort her. Slow progress, but we will get there.
Hazel has been a pretty big travel her first year. Unfortunate circumstances precipitated her flying three times before she turned six months old. She’s also taken multiple car trips to Raleigh, and this summer we even vacationed at the ocean, where she ate many fistfuls of sand. She will be flying again at Christmas, so we’ll see how that goes now that she’s mobile.
One of the most significant things about Hazel’s first year is that we were able to nurse just shy of the entire year. Due to illness in the last few months, I had to decide to taper off sooner, but the slow fade actually worked really well. At risk of sounding like I’m flaunting it (because nothing irritates me more than judgmental “lactivism” and not respecting what works for each individual family), I am very proud of this accomplishment because it doesn’t always work out to make it to that arbitrary year mark. I’m especially humbled that it went so smoothly with so few hiccups until the end. While I am satisfied with everything, breastfeeding is quite the time and personal investment, so I have been enjoying slowly getting those aspects of myself and my day back again the last few weeks.
Hazel, it’s been great to watch you grow and develop. I like to see your personality, how you interact with others including your older brother, and how you approach life when playing alone. Year one has been fun, and I know that even more exciting changes are yet to come.
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