yippee! nev's first birthday is today! it is hard to believe! she has changed so much in one year (i know, not a surprise). she has gone from sleeping for two hours at a time to 13 hours, weighing 5 lbs. 15 oz. to almost 18 lbs. now, wearing preemie clothes to now 6-9 month and 12 month clothes! she smiles, laughs, entertains, crawls, stands (for short periods), claps, waves, plays "so big," follows simple directions, feeds herself with her fingers, drinks whole milk using a sippy cup, flips the pages in books, says mama, dada, dog, duck, no, num num, woo woo (for woof woof), ho ho ho...and so on and so on...
we had a birthday party for her this past weekend and it was wonderful! we couldn't have asked for a more perfect day...80 degrees and sunny! the kids played soccer in the yard, croquette golf, walked through the really shallow part in the pool, drew pictures, ate cake, etc.! nev got to eat her first chocolate cake after everyone sang to her. she didn't know she could touch the cake at first and just looked at it. grandma marsha showed her she could stick her fingers in it and helped get some of the actual cake part accessible through all the frosting and then it was all over! she had the frosting everywhere...in her armpit, hair, all over her shoes, etc. she was sucking on her arm at one point trying to get all of the frosting off. after awhile i think all the sugar made her a little delirious...her eyes glazed over and she couldn't stop smiling! it was very fun to watch and definitely entertaining!
she got lots of fun gifts but most importantly we are so grateful that our friends, family and neighbors were able to come help us celebrate the big day! also, grandma and grandpa black ,as well as, aunt stacey and uncle mark were a big help making sure the party was a success...so thank you!
in terms of other news with nev, she has now been to her first week of daycare (last week). the teachers said she was super! she did some sponge painting, visited the grandfriends next door, sang, played with lots of toys, etc. she really seems to like it there and will start playing once i set her on the floor! she doesn't even look back to see if i am still there. the first day she went joe dropped her off and grandma marsha picked her up (i didn't know if i could handle it). she started clapping when grandma walked in the room to get her! they sleep on little cots raised about 3 inches from the floor for naptime. i thought for sure nev would crawl right off...but by the end of the week she figured it out! she also eats at a small table with her new friends...the chairs are so tiny and cute! it is hard to believe that she will sit there...but i did witness her finishing up her snack one day when i went to pick her up...again, very cute!
while she is enjoying daycare...a downfall is that her exposure to illness is greater. however, this is also a positive as her immune system will get stronger. either way, she is now sick. she has a mild respiratory virus and a double ear infection. despite all of this she is still so good natured! the doctor gave her an antibiotic for her ears and we will go back in two weeks for a follow-up appointment. he will also do her annual well-check at that time too. so i don't have an exact weight or height at this point but they did weigh her with her clothes and shoes on...it was 18 lbs. 3 oz.
nev likes to have conversations and uses inflection in her words like she is asking questions. however, i cannot figure out what the words are!! she is standing on her own for longer periods and cruises the furniture with even more ease. she still has no teeth but it doesn't matter...she eats everything regardless! her favorite foods are cheese and yogurt right now!
so, we have made it through the first year! it has been a challenge at times but i cannot imagine life without her. having a child is the most important thing i have ever done (and i believe joe feels the same way). it has given us a great purpose and meaning to life! the change in our family dynamic is much more powerful now and i think it is great that nev shares her birthday with inauguration day...especially inauguration 2009...since change is definitely apparent! it is definitely a day to celebrate for many reasons!