Eleven Months

Eleven Months Old.

Emma could've been a March baby. 

At our appointment March 9, I was only 1 cm dilated and 10% effaced at that point, so the midwife sent us home, satisfied with where things were.  At our next appointment not even a week later, however, I was 3 cm dilated and 70% effaced with Emma's head at -2 station. Braxton Hicks contractions hit a few days later, so I spent a lot of time relaxing with my feet up and drinking lots of water. The midwife thinks that helped us make it to April; she had predicted a March 25 due date.

But we're not celebrating Emma's first birthday just yet - she made it past the midwife's prediction.

Likes: Animals! Especially dog-dogs, ducks, lions, and Elmo. Doors! Mostly closing them on your parents and laughing maniacally. Sippy cups - now with straws - and feeding yourself. Books, bubbles & bath time (our nightly routine). Playing outside - especially running free or being chased in Abuela & Baboo's backyard.

Dislikes: SWINGS - man do they scare you. When it rains and you can't play outside. Being in the dark by yourself (like when you close yourself in the pantry). When your parents won't let you climb onto the coffee table, kitchen island, or dining room table. Most vegetables all of a sudden - what gives?

I'm preparing for next month's party - we're only inviting close family to keep things from getting too out of hand, but that still means we'll be cramming more than 10 people into our little duplex. Carl & I are making cupcakes and chicken, beef, and veggie kabobs; doing some serious cleaning; and getting a few decorations Emma will appreciate (Dora, of course).

I'm prepared for all that. I'm totally unprepared to be mother to a 1 year old, though. How did this happen?