Snow, Sun, St. Patrick's Day and Back to the Daily Grind

I returned to work on the ninth of March and Sitina and I are both adjusting.  She to daycare; I to work.  We've been blessed with a wonderful care provider and that makes the whole process much easier.  The first week went well--day two better than one; day three better than two an so on.  Last week, only the second Monday, I cried all the way to work.  I wish I could explain it but it is one of those things I am unable to articulate.  I miss her when I am at work; I miss her when she is taking a nap in the same room.  I miss her when my mother feeds her at the same table I am sitting.  I guess I am just smitten.  It's not such a bad way to be.  The moment she first touched my face, every wall that ever existed between me and my world's challenges crumbled.  I love that little soul with every piece of my being.  I can't imagine loving her one little bit more; but every day I do.  If this is what everything in my life has led up to, if this is ultimately my purpose in life, I can say with absolute certainty, loving Sitina is worth every lesson, experience, and moment.  Each and every one.

Sitina experienced her first real measurable snow on March 1st. Pure joy.  She LOVED it--the texture, the taste, the temperature. Next year I will be sure to get her a full on snowsuit to run and play and frolic. We brought the snow inside so she could explore.  She had a ball trying to figure out why the snow was disappearing.  She is quite the observer!

A few days later the snow was melted and Sitina was back to lounging about on the patio.  She loves the sun--it must go back to her days at Hannah's Hope and the Vitamin D morning lounge time in the moses baskets.  Any chance she has to catch some rays, she takes full advantage!

Another fun thing to celebrate about my ten month old daughter (as of today) is her gorgeous, long, soft and silky hair!  She has so much hair.  Her grandfather, Papa, keeps asking how one little girl could grow that much hair in just a few months.  We lovingly refer to her as junior (as in Don King) with a little less gray.  Here is a shot of her with her hair combed out.  It is so beautiful--I am in awe of her curly locks.

My niece, Eve turned one the day before my mother's birthday the first week of March.  Both are below with Sitina and Papa.  For my mother's big day I finally finished a photo book of our trip to Ethiopia.  I want to make one for Sitina to have, I just need another few hours in the day.  Eve's birthday was celebrated at my sister's house with friends and delish food!  My sister can throw a fabulous fête...

And, finally, St. Sitina's very first St. Patrick's Day!  I am not exactly sure how much fun she had but my neighborhood friends had a corned beef and cabbage dinner and the little kiddos in the neighborhood had a grand time dressing up their favorite leprechaun.  If you look closely below, you can catch a glimpse of her TWO bottom (razor sharp) teeth.  For the record, number three--top right--poked through two nights ago.  

That's it.  The update.  I love my moments in time with my daughter. When we are apart, I spend the time thinking about how long it will be until I see her.  People continue to joke with me and say, "Just you wait until..."  fill in the blank.  I think I am just fine waiting.  I can wait and wait and wait and wait.  Because right now, there is nothing I'd rather do than snuggle in and read a book or sing a song with my sweet Sitina!