Satie is not a fan of business trips.

When Satie’s dad had to leave her behind to go on a 4-day business trip, it was quickly discovered that many parts of daily life felt awfully different without him around. From the face she saw first in the morning, to the arms that carried her to bed at night, Satie struggled to cope with her new routine. While ecstatic to have so much uninterrupted attention from her mom, Satie felt that something was wrong, and would frequently roam around the house looking in all of the normal places for “Diggy” to be. Often, she could be found resting her head against the door to the garage, intermittently slapping at the door and saying “DAA DAA DAAAAA!”

Though they kept in touch through daily phone calls and pictures sent by text message, Satie spiraled deeper into despondency as the days went on, and even lost her ability to sleep at night. Satie’s mom tried everything to distract and comfort her distraught little girl, and they had fun swimming, reading, dancing, laughing and visiting family, but it wasn’t until the night of reunion with Satie’s dad that all three of them slept through the night and found their happiness again.

The next evening, Satie and her dad sang and jumped and played and high-fived so frequently and so fervently that Satie was giggling herself right off her feet. Little Satie and her entire happy family agree that being together as a unit just makes life more fun.

Satie is starting her second year of life.

She was the guest of honor at her first birthday party today, where she was dazzled by cake, gifts and balloons. So many guests came to celebrate with her that they jockeyed for a clear view whenever Satie was doing something exciting or arrestingly cute.

When the debris from lunch had been cleared away, and the time came for birthday cake to be served, Satie was presented with her very own personal cake, uniquely crafted exclusively for her. She was tentative at first in her interactions with the confection, but as soon as she chanced to taste it, her apprehension melted away and she grabbed for pink icing, matting down her hair with it and smearing it on her mother’s face.

Due in large part to the recent purchase of a bargain-priced oversize picture book of various breeds of puppies, Satie has become infatuated with dogs and the sounds that they make. The slightest suggestion or mere passing observation of a canine or its likeness sends her into a frenzy of barks, woofs and coos. She will point and call out “dog!”, and then commence her emulation of their sound without regard for whatever activity she is currently engaged in, interrupting meals, transit between rooms, bedtime proceedings and more. Her little mouth forming around the “woofs” that she makes is one of the most adorable sights her parents have ever seen.

Due to this escalating interest in dogs and their noises, Satie’s birthday gifts were predominantly animalian in nature, from picture books to plush toys and robotic pets. She now has a healthy stack which she cycles through, growing more wide-eyed with each turn of a page.

With one whole year now under her belt, there is no slowing Satie’s discovery and development, as she tests out new words and explores new wonders daily.

Satie’s mum has spent a lot of time in reflection over the last week.  With Satie’s birthday rapidly approaching, she has been thinking how much her life has changed in a very dramatic and permanent way in just a short time.

One year ago, she met sweet Satie face-to-face for the first time. For thirty-nine long weeks, she had been anticipating their meeting, wondering what this small person moving about on the inside would be like on the outside. Satie’s mum will never forget that first meeting, looking down into that soft pink face and those soulful dark eyes.  They were drinking in the sight of one another, after months of knowing each other so intimately, yet never having seen each others’ face.

Satie’s mum knew, from that moment on, her life would never be the same and she wondered what type of excitement this new life would bring.  She held her baby girl tight, and dreamed of the days to come.

Now looking back on the previous year, she can hardly believe how quickly time has passed. It seems that Satie has both been part of her life forever, and for barely any time at all. Each day they learn something new together; each day brings renewed love and devotion for one another. Satie’s mum had no idea what to expect, and hoped only for the best. Thus far their life together has been unspeakable joy and constant delight. She cannot wait for the surprises the years to come will bring to them both.

Happy First Birthday, Satie Isabella! You are loved beyond measure.

Satie is making her dad’s weekends worth working for.

As they spend more time together, Satie and her dad grow more enamored with each other and all of the silly little expressions and noises that the other makes. Satie is developing her fledgling vocabulary daily, and learning to imitate new sounds such as the bark of a dog. She will soon be asking for everything by name.

Whether talking, walking, playing or dancing, little Satie – unmistakable Satie – is emerging  more and more, her personality emulsifying and gaining definition. She is beginning to have and to voice clear preferences about what she wants to do and what she wants to eat. Communication is becoming an imperative, whereas before it was merely something fun for her to participate in.

Satie is a constant source of joy to her parents and grandparents, flashing big, ineluctable smiles at them while cooing or calling them by name. She is a wonderful addition to the family.

Satie’s mealtimes with her dad are usually giggly affairs.

Though her diet is expanding all the time, with new foods introduced multiple times every week, Satie’s favorite food is not in doubt. Sometimes used as an appetizer, others as a palate cleanser, the “veggie dip” flavored puff snack is nonetheless a compulsory component of every single meal.

Satie’s dad, mom and grandparents dole out differing amounts of the stuff, but the ubiquitous yellow can is never far away, and Satie knows exactly where it rests at all times. The result of all of this finger food being served is that Satie is becoming more and more dexterous in her self-feeding.

Satie is growing up in so many different ways, and interestingly she only becomes more unique and captivating as she does so.

Satie’s young life is already brimming with experiences, memories, joys and trials, all lived from behind her eyes.

Satie’s parents are amazed every day to watch the miracle of human maturity and growth unfold in the life of their daughter. She laughs consistently at the things that she finds humorous. She speaks in consistent tones depending on her audience and unique to each one. She mimics physical and social behaviors and will ask to engage in those she remembers and prefers. She is a whole person. A whole, tiny person.

There were doubts and fears in Satie’s dad’s mind before Satie arrived about what life with children would be like, and there were expectations in Satie’s mom’s mind about what kind of mother she would be and what the joys and pains of motherhood would be, but all of those preconceptions have been completely and irrevocably supplanted by the wonder and comprehensively altered life focus that they now share as a family. More and more, Satie is taking her place as an integral part of the family unit.

Satie had a thoroughly enjoyable weekend walking, making music, dancing, singing, laughing and visiting with her dad.