A portrait of my daughter every day in 2014

She wanted to be outside ALL DAY. I hate to tell her it’s still Wisconsin and will probably snow again.

A portrait of my daughter every day in 2014

She ate donuts for breakfast and cheeseburgers and french fries for lunch. Thankfully dinner was a redeeming meal of beans, spinach, avocado and a fruit smoothie. I dubbed today “get fat Sunday”. It doesn’t happen often around here, but today we all indulged.

A portrait of my daughter every day in 2014

These two. I love these two. I love watching the relationship they have develop. I love watching him be her dad. He was the first person she saw. He’s an amazing father. And he works so hard at it. Every single day. He’s so present in her life. I think the physical, hormonal bond breastfeeding creates gives me a huge advantage. But him, he works at it, day in and day out. Four days a week he does dinner, bath, bedtime routine by himself. He amazes me. These two. They’re everything.

A portrait of my daughter every day in 2014

She had her 18 month check up this week. She’s still kicking ass at growth, in the 76th percentile for weight. That little brain of hers is growing just right too. Although I know she’s wicked smart and developing normally, every so often I can’t help but worry a little. All of that time in the beginning, where her oxygen sats lingered in the 50’s and 60’s, but here she is, so smart and learning something new every day.

A week from today will be the real test, when she goes in for her semi annual heart check up. Helping her stay calm enough for an echo, EKG and an exam is something I am quite apprehensive about. Our no tv rule will be broken and hopefully The Fantastic Mr Fox will be distraction enough to allow for a few good shots of her heart.

I remember back to one of the first developmental assessments she had, when she was just one month old. A woman came to our house. I don’t know what made me think about this today but for some reason it popped into my head. She asked if I could tell the difference in her cries, if I knew what her hungry cry sounded like. I remember being confused, and telling her I never let her get hungry enough to cry. I always fed her at the first sign of stirring. Maybe that was why she was such a happy baby. And why she grew so well, so quickly.

I’m starting to recognize I am outside the norm for continuing to breastfeed her at this age. I find that really sad. She is so much a toddler, but still so much a baby. I will nurse her proudly, for as long as she chooses. The fact that it reduces her risks of getting sick, her risks of numerous ailments later in life and my own risk of four different cancers are reason alone, but the comfort it provides her is unmatched. If only she would allow for that as comfort during her echo and our problems would be solved.

I love this kid. Immeasurably. Her goofy expressions. Her gigantic personality. This child of mine, she is my favorite.

A portrait of my daughter every day in 2014

Someone has discovered the fine art of climbing on the back of the couch to look out the window.

A portrait of my daughter every day in 2014

She’s a pro at climbing stairs.

A portrait of my daughter every day in 2014

How much she’s grown is so apparent when I look at these photos of her in the same chair a year ago.

A portrait of my daughter every day in 2014

She likes to brush her teeth when we do.

A portrait of my daughter every day in 2014

I love the way she tangles herself up in blankets while she sleeps. It’s a precise process that she’s mastered.

A portrait of my daughter every day in 2014

Going for a walk with the dogs(not a regular occurrence) was pretty exciting for this kid today.