A While Back... Amalia Turned One

Yes, it's been a while. Yes, it was a beautiful day. Yes, we had a party with a nice mix of friends old(er) and young. Yes, we baked a cake. In fact, Irini helped to make some funky little cake balls which were an instant success with the kids, but too sweet for the adults. Oh well. You learn.

Between now and Amalia's birthday we've had quite a number of things going on. For one, everyone (except for Laurence) got sick with the sniffles and coughing, something that continues even today for little Amalia. Amalia decided (on Friday, May 13th) that she was done with all the crawling stuff and so just got up and walked around the house. She is now clapping and dancing (more like swaying with a slight bend to the knees) to a variety of rhythms. Irini has taken on more role-playing and has turned the house inside and out by taking her parents to the back room for a "time out" and telling everyone to sit down and prepare to recite a song (or sing a dance). Natalia has been working night after night to put together a picture book of Amalia's first year and, now that it is finally complete, has decided that Irini should have one too.

Things are happening. Amalia wouldn't know it, but we can see the changes in her. From the time she began walking a mere five days ago, to today she is more social, more independent and more confident in her doings. She loves to play 'peek-a-boo' by standing next to the doorway and moving her upper body so that we can't see her face, then we can, then we can't... she supports this motion with a very friendly smile and a happy "ahh" each time she reveals her face to us. She is delightful. She is now interacting with Irini in earnest. She is hugging her big sister and talking to her and following her around. She dances when her sister sings and wants to play with everything, of course.

Needless to say the birthday came and went in a whirlwind of activity. She was happy. She still is. She played with everyone (including Uncle Joe who shares a birthday with her!) and she happily sat on the table to cut the cake in true Giraldo-Moreno fashion!

Happy Oneth Birthday Amalia!!