We celebrated Little A's 3rd birthday a couple weeks ago and it was amazing to see such a star of the show! She reveled in the attention all day long. Such a turn around from last year when she couldn't feed herself birthday cake (or even eat any solid food at all) and had to be fed yogurt instead. One year ago she couldn't make eye contact with any of us let along sing the Happy Birthday song. She didn't have a clue what to do with a balloon. This year she was involved from beginning to end with no major meltdowns, though there was a princess hissy fit at the end when it was nearing very close to naptime. We're talking pink and purple lace and sparkles throw yourself down on the lawn and kick and scream kind of a thing. But it was a normal fit and not that old animal high pitched screamy wailing freak out so it was good.
Two of her preschool teachers who have been with our family from the beginning of this adventure were at the tiny little party, as well as a foster mom friend and a couple of neighbors who popped by. They all showered love and attention on Little A the whole length of the party. She sang right along with us to the Happy Birthday song and beamed that sweet little smile waiting for cake and icecream. And an Elmo balloon was a favorite of hers that day.
She's turned into a beautiful little girl, who's almost talking in sentences and plays and rides a tricycle and is sweet and gentle with the cats. She has grown from what seemed to be a 9 month old level well into a 2 year old level in one year. I'd say that's pretty good. If she keeps going like this, maybe she'll catch up! That is my dream, hope, wish, prayer for her. No matter where she is for her birthday next year, I just want there to be that same little smile on her special day, that smile that says she knows she's loved.
