Ivy's 1st - Dad's post

I think that the “first year” for all three kids has gone quicker with each one. Maybe it is the fact that there was only one commanding 100% of two adults at once, then two where it was a bit more difficult but we could at least split the duties and now with three it’s sometimes just about survival. I say that likes it’s a real thing – survival in our fortunate world is staying calm and hoping for a full night of sleep. It was a blessing to get a girl after Max; everything was new all over again in a totally different way (as I suspect will continue the rest of our lives…). With Ivy, it’s interesting seeing similarities in her from both our other two. That being said, there’s a lot of Mya in her. I took the blog I wrote for Mya when she turned one and added some commentary for Ivy in red italics after it below…

Daddy's Little Girl... 1 year old already. She can drive me crazy one second and melt me with her smile or kiss the next. Riding in cars and her knack for liking to see us multiple times in the middle of the night are the only things I would wish to change. Ivy is a bit more into her mom than I remember Mya being at this stage. Don’t get me wrong, she still melts my heart in the exact same way when she buries her head on my chest and rests, but she definitely prefers Beth… She’s better at riding in cars – possibly because of the entertainment of the other two rug rats.

I couldn't ask that she be any less determined. Like when she gets the idea in her head that diving into Chloe's water dish and spilling it everywhere would be such fun and will literally climb over, under and around me 20 times trying to get there until I finally give in and just put her dish on the counter. That determination and perseverance will serve her well when she is older. Chloe has provided enough blog time to go around, and her dish and Ivy are best friends just like it was for both Max and Mya – it’s like a tractor-beam! Constant clean-up! Overall, she is every bit as determined and stubborn as Mya was.

I couldn't ask her to be any less daring. Like when she decides to dive head first off the couch, climb a flight of stairs before she can really crawl or actually enjoy being tossed up in the air as high as I am comfortable letting her leave my arms. She is learning that taking chances with uncertain outcomes is an important part of life. Daring is the key likeness here but in a different way. Ivy will climb anything and everything. She’ll get on a chair and start rocking back and forth like she’s trying to get it to move. She also likes tosses into the air, but is a bit more gun-shy about letting go all the way.

I couldn't ask her to be any less caring. Sure, she treats her "baby" like a ragdoll and will chase Max around trying to take him down, but she also hugs that baby like it needs it and gives her brother nice big kisses from time to time. As for me, nowadays she is the first one scurrying to the door to greet me when I get home from work and she gives great hugs. She is a fun loving person and people are attracted to that! Here’s the best part – Ivy is now my #1 fan when I get home. Mya is a close 2nd in terms of showing excitement when I walk in the door. Chloe doesn’t count or she’d always win out. Max – usually he’s playing with his friends and depressingly enough I am rather invisible in those instances – my coolness must be fading with each passing year. Beth? Depends on if it was another night of telling her I’d be home 45 minutes ago… Ivy is WAY more into people than either of the other two, and we thought at the times that they were ultra-social. Ivy takes it to a whole new level with real people; she hasn’t shown an interest yet for dolls. When that time comes, I hope Mya is nice enough to share one of her 356 babies in the house. Last thing – Ivy is very caring and very protective of her siblings. When I am wrestling with Max and Mya and they yell at all, Ivy starts screaming and runs over to us and starts smacking me. Almost the same reaction we used to get out of Chloe when she thought I was actually hurting the kids – innate protective instincts.

You can learn a lot about someone in a year. It's been fun seeing her explore and learn new things every day. She can be a real pistle, but it's hard to not smile even then. AMEN… Love her and am thankful every day for all the love and life. Now where is that remote and what is that in her mouth this time!?!?