hello seven

 

piper lane // empathetic, kind, sensitive, old-soul, funny, determined,  my heart

… piper turned seven in november. SEVEN. it’s hard to believe that it was truly seven years ago that i was in that hospital room at mt. sinai in new york city. i remember so clearly holding her and wondering what kind of personality she would have, who she would be.

she’s amazing. she’s got this huge heart that cares so much about people’s feelings. she’s hard working, overflowing with that whole oldest-child-type-A stuff. she’s an old soul. she uses phrases like, i prefer green grapes over red or i believe we’ve already seen that show (rather than boring old, “i like” or “i think”). she’s polite and fun and can carry a conversation with an adult. she takes my breath away. i look into those blue eyes (blue eyes!) and sometimes i can’t help but get a bit teary at how old and big and beautiful she is. mommy, don’t cry. i’ll try to stay little, but i can’t really help it. she knows.

she’s also stubborn. and sensitive. we’re a family that teases and laughs a lot, and she can go from giggling to crying in a moment. we have to be careful not to push too far, tease too much. she’s a perfectionist. i worry about this, carrying a bit of that myself. she wants things to look exactly how they should look, the first time. she wants to be able to throw a frisbee smooth and straight (the first time), or catch a ball perfectly (the first time), and, and, and …  and i’m so sorry to say that she’s inherited my gross motor skills, which makes all of this a bit more difficult. but she’s determined, and keeps trying. i love that.

she’s adaptable. our little gypsy has lived in 6 different homes since she was born, and she just goes with it. she thrives on newness and change and adventure. the wanderlust gene carries on.

at seven it’s still ok to cuddle in bed at nighttime, face to face, talking about the happenings of the day. mommy, i’m really not sure what to do about this … she starts, and then journeys  her way into the details. oh, how i love these moments. it’s so still, and quiet, except for the sound of her sweet little voice, filled with wonder and concern and joy and expression. will we still do this when she’s 10? and 15? and 20? i hope so.

piper lane, you are my heart. i adore you beyond words. you are my first, no one else will ever be able to say that. you are so patient with me as i learn how to be the mommy of a seven year old.  i know i make mistakes,  but i’m learning as we go, and you are a beautifully patient and gracious little guinea pig (i mean that in the sweetest way possible!). let’s make seven the most amazing and beautiful year yet. 

… for piper’s birthday we invited some of her sweet little friends over for a jewelry making party. i promised wen i would keep it simple, but once i saw those pink and yellow hanging party poofs it was all over. husband stayed up all night with me, risking his life (well, that’s a bit dramatic – risking perhaps a broken bone) trying to hang poofs from our very high ceiling. we laughed over how many times we’ve done this – pulled an all-nighter to get things ready for the chicklet’s birthday. but all worth it for her reaction as she saw the room in the morning and exclaimed, oh, mommy! it looks wonderful! my beautiful friend caroline came to lend her expertise in the jewelry making arena, and it all turned out very sparkly (both the necklaces and the day itself). happiest, happy seven to my piper lane.