Blackbird

I have been a delinquent blogger and documentarian of the life of Em. This month has been super-duper busy, which is way more intense than just super busy. Birthdays, work, the seemingly endless dragging on of the legislative session, spring outings, Easter planning, vacation planning etc. The list goes on and on! Things have been busy but good. Em has literally learned to run in the last few weeks. We went for her one year old check-up and the doc said, "Well, Mom, I don't have to ask if she has started taking her first steps yet," as she ran circles around him like the Tasmanian Devil. We're still speaking mostly space language (actually, Em has about 10 real words she says with consistency, though she prefers to loudly babble on like an alien), but her motor skills are advanced, I think. Actually, her "motor" is a highly revved machine! She is a whirlwind of activity, which is great, except her nearly middle-aged parents can hardly keep up! Em is curious and into everything. She is so excited about the world around her, which is delightful to witness. In the evenings, we have been having trouble settling down for bedtime because there is just too much to see and do. My current secret weapon is singing. I've always loved to sing and was in choirs and choral groups throughout my youth, though I am no soloist. Em doesn't seem to mind. The soothing song of choice these days is Blackbird by none other than the Beatles. She also is partial to (G, don't laugh) a "Bret song" by the Grateful Dead called I Will Take You Home. The music of my college years is all I can actually remember the lyrics to, so I try to pick what seems most appropriate. Oh how I love singing to that sweet little girl!

Emotional Rescue

Today is a very, very special day. Emmy is 1 year old! What a sweet year with our sweet little girl. I've loved it all (with the exception of a few sleepless nights), and it is hard to believe the first year is over. Every day is a new adventure with her, and she is so much fun. I hope she is having a good day and I think she is. We had a big time this morning riding her new wagon around in the house (there were lots of "oohs" and "ahs" when she saw it), and I had lunch with her at school (Em had fried chicken for the first time- there may be no going back now!). This evening we are meeting Daddy at Monkey Joe's to check out the toddler play area and then go home to have spaghetti (Em's favorite) and some giant cupcakes. The real party will be Saturday, though and we can't wait to visit with family and friends. We are having a Dr. Seuss-themed party to celebrate Em's love of her bookies, her favorite "toys." What a glorious, spring day it has been, which seems fitting . I know it's not all about me today, but this day means more than my own birthday now (which is exactly 4 weeks from today- argh, I'm getting old fast!) and I've enjoyed it too. Good times... great memories...

By the way, Em loves the Stones. I mean, of course she does, right? She has good taste in music. She, like her mama, has a nice appreciation for the 80's disco-pop Stones, too. I love Emotional Rescue and she loves to bop along to it to. She/we also love She's So Cold, but note to parents out there that you need to kill the volume at the 2:38 mark, unless you want your kid going to school or church telling everybody they learned to say bad words while listening to Mommy or Daddy's Stones records. We might have to work in a little retro, birthday dance party this evening as well.

Well, cheers to Emmy! She has been a champion of babies this year. Happy birthday, my sweet girl! And many more...