And she seems bigger already

It's only two days after Delaney's first birthday and already she seems bigger to me, more mature, different. I know that sounds crazy, but my mother and sister remarked on it too when they saw her this morning. She even started standing up on her own today! She's more little girl than baby now.

We had her birthday party yesterday and through the whole thing Delaney was, as my mom put it, "a little jewel." She was the sparkling center of attention in a room filled with family and a few close friends as she opened her gifts (Her six-year-old cousin helped her. Delaney was way more interested in shaking and eating the tissue paper than actually unwrapping her gifts.). She was never overwhelmed by the number of people in the house and she really enjoyed the festivities.

Because Delaney has a dairy sensitivity (allergy?), I'd done quite a bit of research on cakes that were dairy- and egg-free (My mom's allergic to eggs so our doctor told us to hold off on giving any to Delaney for a while.). A few weeks ago, we baked a yellow cake from a mix as a test (also referred to by Roger as the, "Million Little Pieces" cake) and it wasn't bad (Although the frosting they sell was pretty bad. We used a can of store-bought that had no dairy or eggs instead). We decided we'd make a special cake for Delaney and then order a real cake for everyone else.

(sorry for all the parentheticals...they're pretty annoying, aren't they?)

Both cakes were a hit, although Delaney wasn't as into the cake as I thought she'd be. I'm a nearly professional consumer of cake and therefore expected my offspring to attack her cake with an appropriate level of gluttony. Didn't happen. She touched the cake, licked a bit of frosting and gave everyone a completely puzzled look. She then plunged both fists into the cake and became a bit peeved when she couldn't get the thick, sticky frosting off. After I helped her get some of it off, she ate a few incredibly small bites and looked at me like, "What's all the fuss about?" I asked Roger if he thought she'd have enjoyed the real cake more and he said probably not.

Tomorrow's her 12-month visit to the pediatrician and as I looked into her sweet, trusting, innocent eyes tonight, I felt like we're about to betray her. She has no idea what she's in for with the several shots that are coming. I know they'll keep her healthy in the long run, but I can't stand the pain they'll cause her and I know how frightened and upset she'll be. Thankfully, Roger's coming with us so he can help me soothe her.

One year old. I still can't believe it.

Comments

[moxiemomma]

*screeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeech!* that's me skidding to a stop because i was rushing over to say happy birthday to delaney because i missed it! so happy birthday delaney!!

and i have to say, she actually looks like she did quite a number on that cute butterfly cake! my girl was completely nonplussed by her cake(s)--barely even got messy. the boy, however, now he was a disaster and pooped blue for days afterwards :)

congratulations on making it through the first year!! good work.

[Jamie]

LOVE her special butterfly cake you made her. And the big sheet cake is beautiful, too. What a cutie! I hope her vaccination experience wasn't too bad! We go tomorrow...Amelia's pediatrician wanted to postpone them until we got her ear infection cleared up. Yes, that first year flies by.