Give Thanks

I know that Thanksgiving is usually the time when everyone is supposed to reflect on what they're thankful for, to count our blessings and only wish that our good fortunes continue and that our bad ones fade into the background. But as a new year dawns, I can't help but think of the things I've been blessed with this year. 

Hadley is the most obvious! It feels like so many months more than six, when she finally made her long-anticipated arrival in June. This time last year, at the birth of 2008, we were just embarking on our adventure of an unexpected, and eventful (to say the least) pregnancy. 

But it has been six months, and will soon be seven. In a way I'm sad to see her getting so big and tall; "standing" on the table with me holding her for longer and longer, until my arms get tired; making new sounds and trying to talk every day; and the way that I can no longer hold her cradled in my arms like I did when she was a newborn makes my heart ache in an almost tangible way. 

When I walk through the door after being away from her, she is the first one I want to see; I can feel my lips stretch into a giant smile and a need to hold her in my arms. She is so beautiful that sometimes I feel like I could shed tears for it. I could kiss her round and rosy cheeks forever, if she didn't try to push me away after she's had enough. I could run my fingers through the soft and downy fuzz covering her head until she falls asleep, and then some. I could die for her. 

This year will be amazing, and like no other. There will be crawling, walking, new solid foods, splashing in the pool, birthday candles and summer vacations spent on the beach with her.  I will collect shells for her and help build sand castles. I will kiss bruises and bumps when she falls while learning to walk. I will count new teeth and brush new hair. 

I will love her.