timandfee

Am lying in bed beside my sleeping princess, in the countryside about 2 hours from Barcelona. We’re here to celebrate Karen and Alexis’s wedding. But today is also special because it is Alina’s first birthday.

So lets start with some memories.   I’ll never forget my first reaction to seeing her, i thought “she does not look like us, i wonder if they are sure she is mine?”. I remember how frightened she was when she popped out, like a little rabbit caught in the lights, but she immediately started to eat and relax. I remember waiting for my legs to thaw out with her asleep on me and thinking she was the most beautiful little thing ever…and also that no name we had suited her!  I remember calling her Alina for the first time, when she was 2 days old.  The excitement when the grandparents and cousins met her.  her lying on me during the nights and been so peaceful.   The nurses all saying 3 things “que grande”(big), “que rubia”(blonde),” ella es muy tranquila” (she is very calm).

Then we took her home and the learning curve really started.  But she was so good. No problems eating, no problems sleeping.  I had expected to be exhausted, but we were happy and relaxed.  I realize now, after hearing so many stories, how lucky we were.

Now a year later, I can hardly imagine a time without her being there.   Gone is the quiet, helpless infant. In her place, is a blonde ,curly haired, blue eyed little girl, who knows what she wants and how to get it.  She no longer looks exactly like her papa, but has a mix of us both in there (although still more like tim according to commentators).   She loves people, and can command the attention of any room. She loves music, right now she especially loves Beyonce “Single Ladies”. She has often a mischievous gleam in her eye, and adores playing games.  She happily chats away, and tells people what to do, in no words we can understand. Her first word was “nee” (no in flemish). She says “hiya” and “agua”, therefore covering all languages.

I love the little person she is becoming, even if I see some of my “bossy” traits there! I love watching her grow and seeing the new things she can do every day. I love seeing her and her papa, they already have such a special bond.  I love coming home to her, and seeing her smile.  She has such a big smile that really lights up her face. I love that having her has made me a better person.

Time is going too fast. On this her first birthday, I wish for her a long life filled with joy, fun and happiness. I hope she will be kind and always respectful of herself, others and the world around her.  I hope she will always be filled with wonder, just as she is now. I hope she will explore new things and places, and find beauty all around.

May she always know she is deeply loved by us, and all her family. May she love herself. May she be safe.
Happy birthday our beautiful little daughter.  You are our princess.  And the best 1 year old in the whole wide world.