Yesterday, Adahlia celebrated her first birthday. She has witnessed one full revolution of the earth around the sun.

It was a wonderful day for her. She loves being outdoors, so we took her on a short hike to a waterfall. Then we returned home, opened presents, and shared a pie crust filled with fresh berries. Her grandparents and her uncle were in attendance.

I can happily say that she adored her birthday, and all the amplified attention and love she received. She opened each gift and all her cards (I discovered that tissue paper is easier than wrapping paper and fun for little hands to tear). She clapped her hands with joy and examined each of her gifts with bright eyes, handing books to me for me to read to her, kissing stuffed animals on their mouths, and laughing. We blew paper noisemakers, which she found strange. She pointed at her Happy Birthday sign several times, saying, “bu!” When it came time for dessert, she sat erect in her high chair, and we presented the pie of fresh berries in graham-cracker crust, with a number 1 candle nestled into some Tru-whip. She looked a bit solemn while we sang, until Joe and I blew out the candle, and then she reached for the pie, grabbing a raspberry in one hand and bringing it to her mouth, and then taking a blackberry in the other. It was the perfect first birthday cake for her! Kicking her legs and giggling, she squeezed and mashed and ate berry after berry, and a little graham cracker and whip, too. She made a huge mess, smearing bright links and purples all over her face and hands, and despite her bib, eventually all over her beautiful, simple, white cotton dress. When she was full, she eagerly fingerprinted large swirling colors all over her tray. The entire time, she engaged her various guests with her own “raspberries,” babble talk, waving and head tilting. (She likes to look at people sideways sometimes, these days.) It was absolutely fantastic. And I while some first birthdays are awkward events for the child, and in some ways, may be more for relatives than for the child, I can assuredly say that she LOVED her birthday celebration. I will post a couple pictures soon.

Everyone left after we ate the pie, and as she was born in the evening, Joe and I were left to enjoy her in peace and reflection of what had occurred 365 days ago. It was a phenomenal day. There is absolutely nothing like birth, and we gave birth in the most amazing setting, at the Andaluz Waterbirth Center, under the care of some rather extraordinary midwives. The birth was incredible. It was a sweeping, romantic experience, supernatural, in every connotation. And so it felt like destiny that as the hour of her birth arrived, I stepped into the tub with her and washed all the berry juice away. After dressing her for bed, and while talking with Joe, she fell asleep in my arms, breastfeeding, about five minutes before the moment of her birth.

As a commemoration and celebration of her life thus far, I could not have wished to give her a better day. I wish to thank everyone who has sent prayers, love, and light. I wish to thank everyone who has given blood to her her, and those who remain anonymous, who had no idea that their blood would save the life of an infant girl when they stepped forward and offered their arm. I wish to thank all midwives, doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals who have brought her to this day. I give thanks for natural, modern, and spiritual medicine, and the love and support of friends and family. I give thanks for Joe and for myself, for my strength and the inner resources which carry us through the toughest moments. And I thank the supreme mystery of this extraordinary, beautiful young being, of the path we walk.