Tater Tot 1 year

Dear Tater Tot,

Being 3 of 3, of course you're going to have a late birthday blog post, sorry.  Got it in under the wire, technically you are still 12 months old for another 2 days.  Please forgive your sometimes frazzled mama.

You came into our lives on a single day's notice, and during one of our last regular date nights, we frantically tracked down preemie clothes and diapers for you, marveling that any human baby could fit into anything so small.  They were all too big.  The Nugget came with me to the hospital to pick you up, and the nurses had to run a test to, "Make sure she can breathe in a regular infant car seat.  If not, we'll send you home with a car bassinet."  You passed.  I was terrified.  You were under medical orders to be fed every 3 hours, no exceptions, and when I fed you a half ounce under nurse supervision, they breathed a sigh of relief, "That's the most she's eaten in one sitting so far."  The pediatrician said you absolutely had to be in our room until you were at least 12 months old, because your size put you at a higher SIDS risk.  Did I mention I was terrified?  You screamed all the way home, but for that I was thankful because I knew you were breathing.

A year later, you are still petite, still about the size your brothers were when they couldn't yet hold up their own heads.  But you are as strong and feisty as can be.  Like a Chihuahua attacking a Labrador, you playfully chase your brothers, grabbing Spork around the ankles to bring him down with a whump or grabbing the hem of the Nugget's jeans to make him squeal.

When you came home, we didn't know what the future held for you, what it held for US.  We are so so grateful you are here to stay.  You are our sunshine.

Love, Mama

Top 10 Challenges at 1 year old
10. Not sleeping
9.  Not falling asleep easily.
8.  Not staying asleep.
7.  Taking forever to go back to sleep.
6-2. Not sleeping.
1.  You get the picture.  Mr. Sandman, you missed one over here.

Top 10 Things I love at 1 year old
10. You entertain yourself.  You are content to play with toys, with parents, sibs, or visitors.
9.  You rarely fuss, only when you need a nap, diaper change, or food.
8.  I can scarcely believe that you don't barf or drool constantly, I've never had a baby who could wear the same bib for a whole day.
7.  You are so playful.  You always want to engage us with a smile, an invitation to chase or smooch.
6.  Your burbley laugh.
5.  You wake up smiling.
4.  You adore your big brothers.  You are not afraid to get all rough-and-tumble up in here.  You hug Spork tight and walk around with him until he goes too fast for you and you both topple.  You save your biggest smiles and laughs (and first steps!) for the Nugget.  You remain the calm in the storm, no matter what temper fits those boys are throwing, you stay smiley and serene, observing them with a bemused expression or even unable to contain your giggles.
3.  Because you are so tiny, it's hilarious to see you walking around like a toddler.
2.  Even when you don't sleep, you are mostly pleasant at night, cooing, laughing and smiling, even if we don't always find your 3am smiles entertaining.  Last night, Daddy tried singing you a lullaby and instead of dozing off, you gave him a big smile and a round of applause when he finished.
1.  You have this incredible wisdom, strength, calm, and sense of humor locked into your tiny body.  The new name we've chosen for you means calm and wisdom, and it fits you to a tee.  You're going to move mountains, little lady.