Big Changes. Big Year.

So the first thing I need to do is give a huge Amelia update! It appears that she has had some kind of cognitive growth spurt in the last couple weeks.  I don't know if this is due to the growing necessity to assert herself before her little sister steals all her thunder or what...but something big is happening for her and it is so exciting.  Amelia has been more social in the past week than she has been her whole life.

Usually hanging in her room, particularly once we put the TV on for her, is all she wants to do.  Amelia will just play for hours in there with or without anyone (she always has either us or a nurse with her -- but she is content to do her own thing, you know?).  In the last several days we've had different visitors, cousins and my parents.  Amelia has started to complain when we're in the other room playing with Lucy.  I have always dreamed of Amelia hanging out with us in the living room wanting to play but every time I've tried it she starts to cry or belly's into the den wanting the big TV or any variation thereof.  But in the last couple days...she WANTS to be with us.  Playing in the big blue toy box in the living room and hanging with us.  It's astounding!!!!

And not only that -- Amelia has begun to do the most amazing thing physically.  She reaches up for me and it looks like she wants to give me a hug, but what she really wants is to use me as leverage to stand up.  She puts her hands on my shoulders, gets her feet flat on the floor and pushes her tush in the air and then I give her hands support so she can push her upper body upright.  It's incredible and she figured it out on her own.  Now that I know what she wants to do, I can really help her. And once Amelia's up, she wants to walk around, maybe go outside and sit in a comfy chair...I mean, isn't that what we all do;)

And let's not forget the newest and biggest change in our lives...Lucy.  I can't believe it but our little girl is turning one tomorrow.  She has done everything she's supposed to do on the early side of when she was supposed to do it!  I was able to read "Babycenter" emails each week and not cry. Watching Lucy eat will never get old for me -- I could watch her do it all day!  Seeing her roll over, sit up,  then dance on her tummy like a beached seal until she figured out how to crawl, stand up, cruise, walk and now almost running!   She and I giggle endlessly and come up with new and nonsensical words.  I have been able to experience the endless joys that come with raising a typical child.  And I am so grateful!  I will owe that to Lucy for the rest of my life.

I've also felt the deep sorrow that comes with the knowledge that Amelia and I were both cheated of so many wonderful experiences -- but comforted by all the special moments and the bond that I know only Amelia and I will ever have.  I am the person today because of all the gifts Amelia has taught me.