On this day a year ago, the doctor held up a 9lb 2oz baby to me and announced “you have one of these!”
And I’m like “what, a three-month-old baby?”
“oh, you mean a girl”.
She was huge. She was a girl. And she was laying on my chest staring at me with the most intense brown eyes I’d ever seen. I had that feeling that you can’t adequately put into words, but we try with things like “connection”, “deep”, “profound” and “primal”.
She was a dream baby. She still is. She’s placid, she’s serious, she’s delightful, she’s funny and she’s adorable.
She sleeps well, eats well and only occasionally pulls the cat’s whiskers.
She’s everything people say that children are, and she’s brought so much to us that we never could have guessed we would be blessed with.
Cliche, cliche, cliche. They’re all true.
And today she is one.
She can say “gentle”, “ta”, “thank you”, “hello” and “dad dad”.<
She pulls herself up on everything but isn't ready to walk yet.
Last night she speared a piece of pumpkin with a fork and brought it to her mouth.
She likes music, and will dance any time there's anything remotely rhythmic on
She loves swimming and baths, drawing, throwing books around and putting blocks into square holes.
She follows me everywhere I go and has breakfast with her dad every morning.
She has eight teeth and just enough hair to put in an unnecessary but incredibly cute pony tail.
She likes clapping and Giggle and Hoot.
And she is mine.
Happy first birthday, Veggie Baby.
You make a lot of people very happy.
xx
Cup and Saucer says
March 20, 2012 at 8:07 pmHow exciting! Enjoy your day. Happy birthday veggiebaby! xxxx
Belinda says
March 20, 2012 at 8:33 pmHappy, happy birthday to your beautiful girl. I still remember where I was when I heard she was born. x
Rachael says
March 20, 2012 at 8:48 pmOh, she is gorgeous. Happy birthday! Nice sleeve work on the swing pusher too.. 🙂
Nikki Parkinson says
March 20, 2012 at 8:54 pmHappy Birthday Veggie Baby … You are incredibly blessed to have the mama that you have x And Stace? That fork thing and the pumpkin? My fave baby milestone. Congrats to you – you do babies very well!
Eva Iezzi says
March 20, 2012 at 9:39 pmMaking me cry before 9am? That's it, I'm outta here.
Emmasbrain says
March 20, 2012 at 9:39 pmHappy Birthday Abby!!! Where the hell did that year go? I remember waiting for the news, refreshing twitter every five seconds, the anticipation and the excitement!.. I continue with the true clichés!
Congrats to you too mama, your doing an amazing job. Xxxx
Talia Carbis says
March 20, 2012 at 9:40 pmHappy Birthday Veggie Baby! You are delightful, and my computer screen is always brighter when you appear on it!
Cat says
March 20, 2012 at 9:40 pmShe's wonderful that's for sure! More than a bit like her Mama. What an ace job you and your Mr have done in raising this gorgeous little girl. Happy Birthday Abby. Xxxx
Zoey @ Good Googs says
March 20, 2012 at 9:43 pmHappy Birthday Little Lady! So beautifully said. She inherited so much of her parents' gentleness. Crying before 9am, but in a good way xoxoxo
Steph @ Lipstick & Cake says
March 20, 2012 at 9:44 pmHappy Birthday Veggie Baby!
And thanks for sharing her milestones Stacey, I look forward to experiencing these with my future children.
xx
Beth @ Achoo You says
March 20, 2012 at 10:44 pmHappy birthday Abby xxx she's just a bundle of awesomeness xxx
Kelley @magnetoboldtoo says
March 20, 2012 at 11:18 pmLOVE. Happy Birthday to all of you.
x
Karlee says
March 20, 2012 at 11:28 pmOh i got goose bumps reading that oxo
Christie @ Fig & Cherry says
March 20, 2012 at 11:33 pmHappy birthday veggie baby, you are adorable! Well done Mama for making such a cute little human being. She sounds like she would be great friends with Poppy they could have a dancing play date where they clap themselves while watching Giggle and Hoot. Heavenly.
allconsuming says
March 20, 2012 at 11:59 pmI am feeling a 'how can she be one' – you know, it's part of the family of 'how can I have a 14 year old and two sons in high school' category.
Veggie Mama says
March 21, 2012 at 12:13 amOh man. it's ridiculous.
Veggie Mama says
March 21, 2012 at 12:14 amHaha famous before she'd even poked her head out. Thank you so much x
Veggie Mama says
March 21, 2012 at 12:14 amThank you so much 🙂
Veggie Mama says
March 21, 2012 at 12:14 amHahah that would be Veggie Dad. He does tattoos extremely well.
Veggie Mama says
March 21, 2012 at 12:15 amYou are so very kind. I was standing spellbound in the kitchen, watching her. She's a special little girl! Much love xx
Veggie Mama says
March 21, 2012 at 12:15 amAw it's so nice to hear that… thank you. I was gunning for a whole twitter labour until, you know, I started bellowing in the bathtub and swearing at everyone who wouldn't turn my syntocinon off.
Veggie Mama says
March 21, 2012 at 12:16 amOh what a lovely thing to say! Will have to play with Lior soon xx
Veggie Mama says
March 21, 2012 at 12:16 amOh and they're going to be way more amazing when you do! xx
Veggie Mama says
March 21, 2012 at 12:17 amOh I'm being ridiculous. Damn hormones. Everything she does today is extra special and extra cute. Sigh. Thanks for being there every step of the way xx
Veggie Mama says
March 21, 2012 at 12:17 amOh that would be cute overload and the world would implode! Thank you so much xx
Veggie Mama says
March 21, 2012 at 12:18 amJust make sure you're around for Magnelley's first birthday next September xx
Veggie Mama says
March 21, 2012 at 12:18 amI honestly don't know where it comes from. My hands type stuff. I couldn't even describe what I actually felt so I can't be that good haha!
Veggie Mama says
March 21, 2012 at 12:20 amI know they say they grow up fast, but um… oh my god. Soon I will be talking about high school and buying shotguns and telling boys on the phone she's not home. It's mind-blowing.
Alice says
March 21, 2012 at 12:25 amHappy 1st birthday Veggie Baby! In the Netherlands the whole family gets congratulated when someone has a birthday, and if you have a party, everyone goes around and congratulates every single person for the person celebrating the birthday, so congratulations to you and Veggie Dad dad 🙂 Beautiful post Stacey xx
Veggie Mama says
March 21, 2012 at 12:35 amOh my gosh, what a fun tradition! Congratulations everyone for celebrating! I like that… but I'm a bit selfish, if it's MY birthday, then only I'M allowed to get the attention! But today everyone gets to celebrate, it's an awesome family milestone. Thanks so much for sharing xx
Rachael says
March 21, 2012 at 12:48 amMy hubby is a 'collector of fine ink' too. Though we are limited by a lack of decent artists here.
I only have the one, which my 6mth old slaps and makes the same noise she makes for the dog…
Jane says
March 21, 2012 at 1:07 amYay Veggie Baby! I actually still remember exactly what I was doing the morning I read your tweet announcing that she'd arrived – I remember thinking how much I loved her name. Happy birthday beautiful girl xxx
Bess Georgette says
March 21, 2012 at 1:49 amHappy first birthday Veggie Baby!
Leigh Hassall says
March 21, 2012 at 2:32 amI started reading your blog when I read about it in Peppermint magazine, ANYWAY I had to say Happy Birthday to your little one, she is so cute! My baby girl turned one in January and it goes so fast. I have another one starting school next year!
I love your blog and this is a great post I felt the same way when my babies turned one.
Miss Pink says
March 21, 2012 at 3:10 amShe is gorgeous. She makes me ache for more babies. Happy birthday Veggie Baby! Hope you're having a fabulous day.
Anna Coates says
March 21, 2012 at 3:35 amHappy birthday Veggie Baby. Hope you all have a wonderful day. x
Jheadlam says
March 21, 2012 at 4:14 amHappy Birthday Veggie Baby! Today must be a wonderful day to be born because everywhere I look it's someone's birthday – including my dads!
Veggie Mama says
March 21, 2012 at 4:25 amI can't believe it was a whole year ago! She's so big now. And so beautiful 🙂
Veggie Mama says
March 21, 2012 at 4:26 amhahah we're very spoiled here. I got a magnificent piece in Brisbane and I doubt I'll ever go anywhere else now!
Veggie Mama says
March 21, 2012 at 4:26 amThank you!
Veggie Mama says
March 21, 2012 at 4:26 amOh, welcome! I hope you've enjoyed it so far. I can't believe how fast this has gone, and with another arriving soon it'll be flying by. I wish I could put into words all the amazingness she has brought.
Veggie Mama says
March 21, 2012 at 4:26 amOh my gosh, I know of two others' too! Excellent day.
Rachel says
March 21, 2012 at 5:55 amawwww! happy birthday beautiful veggie baby!
flyingdrunkenmonkey says
March 21, 2012 at 6:20 amHappy birthday to the cutest veggie baby ever!!! Xxxx
Glowless says
March 21, 2012 at 8:12 amHappy birthday Veggie Baby! I got so teary reading this *cluck cluck*
Kymmie says
March 21, 2012 at 8:19 amHappy Birthday Abby Lee. You're beautiful, and I'm so glad you came into the lives of your mum and dad. You might not think so in 15 year's time, but you've got awesome parents!
xx
Miss Pink says
March 21, 2012 at 8:49 amYes yes yes!
This time I won't gawk at you silently. Ok, maybe I will, but I will talk to you at some point too.
Here I Am LouLou says
March 21, 2012 at 9:40 amHappy Birthday to the cutest baby Vegetable in the whole world.
You are blessed in every way growing up in a safe home with parents that love you and I hope your mummy keeps this post forever so you can read it back when you are older and understand the connection and love that you have with your Mumma.
Congratulations Stacey on such a lovely little girl and recovering from such a large baby. (from another in the club of huge baby's 🙂
x Loulou
Carli @ tinysavages says
March 21, 2012 at 9:41 amHappy Birthday Abby Lee, beautiful post Veggie Mama x
Raynor says
March 21, 2012 at 10:03 amHappy birthday, little Vegetable Sprout! Toooooooooo cute! ^_^
jody says
March 21, 2012 at 10:19 amOh that is so sweet! Happy birthday gorgeous girl! x
Stephanie says
March 21, 2012 at 1:13 pmShe is such a doll. What a blessing she is! Oh….and I had a 9lb 2 oz whopper too! You'll never guess which one of the Holden girls clocked in at that massive weight!…. Petite little Lauren! She's tiny now but she was a biggin at birth! Lol
Holly Homemaker says
March 22, 2012 at 12:19 amHappy birthday, little Veggie Baby! xx
Veggie Mama says
March 22, 2012 at 2:46 amThank you! She had a great day xx
Veggie Mama says
March 22, 2012 at 2:46 amUntil september!
Veggie Mama says
March 22, 2012 at 2:49 amI used to get teary reading your letters to Tricky xx
Veggie Mama says
March 22, 2012 at 2:53 amYou're so sweet! I'll keep reminding her 😉
Veggie Mama says
March 22, 2012 at 2:53 amhaha we all do weird things in social situations xx
Veggie Mama says
March 22, 2012 at 2:54 amOh my – not even sure I've recovered yet! And have to do it all over again very soon! Thank you so much, I hope she thinks we're all right 🙂
Veggie Mama says
March 22, 2012 at 2:54 amMicroherb!
Veggie Mama says
March 22, 2012 at 2:54 amThank you so much!
Veggie Mama says
March 22, 2012 at 2:55 amThanks aunty holly!
Katie says
March 22, 2012 at 12:07 pmHappy Birthday little one! Wishing you, your mama, your “dad dad” and your teeny, tiny sibling a wonderful new year of adventures and happiness together. (You are ridiculously adorable!)
Katie x
Veggie Mama says
March 22, 2012 at 11:40 pmoh my god that just made me tear up. CUTE! Thank you so much xx
Natalie says
March 23, 2012 at 10:43 pmHappy happy birthday Veggie Baby! x
Veggie Mama says
March 26, 2012 at 7:02 pmThank yooouuuu!
Robert Dulaney says
March 29, 2012 at 10:04 pmhappy birthday, lil' one!!!!
Veggie Mama says
April 1, 2012 at 3:19 amThank yoooooou!