This shot was taken a year and two days ago. It’s amazing how much Finn has grown since then. I can’t put her in a backpack anymore, and she’s getting heavy to ride on my shoulders for more than a half an hour.

Today she’s home sick with a fever, nestled on the couch with Mama, after a restless night of sleep and an early wake-up for Daddy. She’s getting more and more opinionated and strong-willed every day, which makes me proud and afraid at the same time; it’s definitely a challenge to get her to do things these days when just six months ago she was much more agreeable.

Padding quietly downstairs this morning at 6, I laid her on the couch, tucked her sweaty head under my chin, and dozed quietly with her for an hour. It reminded me of her first months, when I’d swaddle her up like a mummy and lay next to her on the couch, watching her sleep, in awe of her being.