Cordelia's Sixth Birthday Review

Yesterday Cordelia turned six. I guess it just doesn't get any easier, each year just seems to remind us how quickly this is all happening. The memory of her birth is still so fresh, it doesn't seem like it was six years ago, but the calendar tells me that it really was that long ago.

We had a fairly mellow birthday because she is having a party on Saturday. We still managed to pack a lot in and make her feel celebrated and special. The big gift was that we finally, after years of begging, let her pierce her ears. After dropping Elise off at preschool she and I headed to the mall for ear piercing. Eric met us there.

She kept telling people she is now allowed to wear long dresses because she is six. Not sure where/why she got that in her head, but OK. Here we are waiting for the ear piercing place to open.

Cordelia eagerly hopped into the ear piercing chair and held the stuffed bear that was handed to her. This is something she has been asking for since she was about four. I didn't really care one way or the other, since it is so very common---seemed kind of inevitable. Eric, my heavily tattooed husband, was worried about her perfect little ears and has been very reluctant to let her pierce them. He decided that he was ready-ish to let her do this as part of her birthday gift.

Although his body language tells me that he wasn't entirely comfortable as he watched her go through the piercing.

She let out a little gasp as the ear was pierced, but it was basically no big deal.

She was mighty proud when it was all over.

She chose tiny sapphire earrings and the store also gave her a stuffed tiger (at a discounted price) which she named Sapphire, her birthstone.

She later requested a trip to a museum for her birthday. I was so happy not to go to Jump Craze and proud that she chose a museum!

She and Elise ran to the museum so eager to check it out. I will file this under parenting win and choose to ignore that she requested Taco Bell (they have some vegan options) for lunch.

Sisters on a covered wagon.

Later my parents joined us for dinner.

Opening presents.

Elise climbing on my father.

My mother and Cordelia.

Sisters wearing new jackets from their grandparents. Elise received a few gifts too. We would have gotten her a little something either way, but Cordelia specifically asked, on her birthday wish list, that Elise also receive a present.

Cordelia and my dad.

Her green cupcakes.

Happy birthday Cordelia!

Sixteen Days Late

April 2nd most years I can anticipate a call, a text, some form of communication from my mother. She reminds me that I was supposed to be born on April 2nd 1981. I didn't choose April 2nd for my arrival. My mother, nine months pregnant and living on an isolated farm in  northern Montana could do nothing but wait. She waited, knowing that snow would come that month. I am sure she worried about making it to the hospital that was about an hour away in Havre. I am sure she daydreamed about motherhood and the life she imagined for her just beginning family. I know that she was pretty sure that she was having a boy. Everyone told her that she was carrying a big old baby boy, but that was still more than a few years off.

 

She waited for 16 days something that no doctor now would allow, there certainly would have been an induction for a baby that simply refused to leave the comfort of the womb, but not then. Back in 1981 in rural Montana my parents waited and dreamed and went about business as usual, farming and sitting on pins and needles. Every twinge could signal the impending birth that surely colored every moment of those days. I am sure that they were thinking about how their lives would change, how a baby would change their relationship. I am sure they were worried about sleep and all of the other stuff that waiting parents ponder, driving themselves mad with possibilities.

Then, on April 18th I decided it was time to make my entrance. My mother and father got into their car and drove to Havre, a small town that seemed like a metropolis in comparison with their nearest town of Turner. My parents will tell me later today about how they waited as a train passed before they could get to town. My mom will remind me about how my dad talked to some kid who was also waiting to pass. I will hear stories about puking and pop and pancakes. I will hear about how my dad wasn't in the delivery room, because it was a different time. I will hear the story of my birth. I need those stories. I cherish those stories.



I arrived and I was a giant baby, to be sure, basically I was half grown. I was a giant baby with acne that has lasted for 34 years. I don't think my parents cared much, because I was finally there and I was theirs. I was not a boy, but that was really just dumb luck on their part---I kid.



I was taken home to the farm after the obligatory hospital stay. On their way home they stopped at a restaurant in Hogeland (I believe) where a waitress took me, newly born, into the back to show off to staff. My mother nervously waiting my return, but too polite to demand my return from an obviously well-meaning soul. They took me home and I am certain that a parade of friends and family teased them about how it was about time. I am sure that my grandmothers held me, aunts, second cousins, family friends. I was home and I was loved.

I was also endured, as I hear tell that I was more than a little intense (side note: I still hear this is true).  I was home, sixteen days later than planned. I was born 34 years ago today to the most loving parents and for that I am thankful.  I was given the best birthday gift ever, and since it is my birthday I can get away with this sappiness, I was given my family and every goodness that has come into my life stems from that very first gift.

Cordelia Turns Five

Here it is. Today she turns five. Seems like a big milestone, she is shrugging off the last bit of babyhood and taking that first bold step into full blown childhood. How did we get here? Oh my how time has flown by with this amazing little girl. And, she is so much more than a little girl. Cordelia is so very bright. She is reading and writing and making art. She is full of unbridled passion which is mostly a fantastic trait; she is learning how to make that passion work for her and trying her hardest to harness those big feelings she has.



Cordelia is so very loving. I seriously don't know a sweeter spirit. She loves very deeply and she will let you know it. Most days she tells me no fewer than 50 times how thankful she is to be my daughter or how lucky she is to have such a great family. She does this with everyone she loves! We certainly didn't train her to be this way, it's just Cordelia.

She is so funny. So funny. Her quirky sense of humor is always making us laugh. Oh, and her laugh is just this magical sound that can bring a smile to the most somber of faces.

She loves fashion and plans outfits for each and every day.

Cordelia is an amazing big sister. She always works to include Elise, holding her hand, teaching her sister. I often sit back in wonder at these two sisters and thank the heavens for this sweet bond that is developing.

Cordelia turned us into parents and every single day that has passed since the moment she has entered this world has been a gift to us. We love her completely, all that she is.Happy birthday to our big five year old!

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We actually celebrated her birthday on Saturday with a party for friends. The first friends on her list were her three preschool teachers who were so very kind to show up on their day off! She also invited many friends that she has acquired over the five years she has been on this planet. Since we can never really gauge how big these things will be (one kid + parent(s) + siblings) we decided to keep it rather mellow. We put out all of the fun stuff we had and planned one organized activity. The result was no fuss and a nice fall afternoon.

 We watched as she played and enjoyed a crazy backyard party. She did manage two dresses for one party.


Waiting for the guests to arrive.


Eric made a sign to keep kids off of the stairs and Cordelia proudly walked each guest by the sign.


She requested a purple cake and I was happy to oblige.


Blowing out her candle


Cutting the cake


Cake


Sarah is awesome and the world should know this.


Cordelia with the pinata.


Elise taking a whack at the pinata.


My father and our good friend/super amazing human/ borrowed sister Laura.


My mother and Elise. My mom helped with Elise for the whole party, so I could hostess more easily...not that she had a choice, Elise (and Cordelia) adores my mother!


Eric


My dad with the girls. He is an amazing grandfather.


Cordelia and  Sadie


Later today the family will be over to celebrate with her favorite meal vegan pigs in a blanket. Should be a fantastic day for a wonderful girl.

730 Days: Elise is TWO!!!

Life is moving along way too quickly. Today marks two years since Elise entered this world and completed our family. Over the past year we have watched this girl blossom. Her vibrant personality has really come into focus. Elise is intelligent, hilarious, and cool. She seems to be a bit of an introvert, but once you crack this girl open you will be blessed with humor and affection. She has such a fun loving spirit, brave and willing to give most things a try. She is independent and strong willed, traits that will serve her well throughout her life.

This girl is a mix of brave, she'll always jump off of whatever, and fearful, bugs and shadows! She has the most expressive face on the planet, I am sure. She loves rainbows and pink and her big sister (parroting most everything that Cordelia does). She is creative and driven, this sweet daughter of ours. She adores her grandparents, uncles, aunts, parents, animals, friends---this girl has a big heart!

I cannot believe that it has been two years (almost to the minute as I am typing) that we met her for the first time. I will never forget meeting my baby girl, furious with the indignity of birth. What a day that was, full of love. Read about her birth,  first year and birthday, etc. by clicking the links.

Join me as I look back over this past year with our spirited little lady.


July 2013


August 2013


September 2013


October 2013


November 2013


December 2013


January 2014


February 2014


March 2014


April 2014


May 2014


June 2014







July 2014, today

Happy birthday Elise! You are so very loved.