we're using up the stickers on the "baby's first year" calendar. quick.

today ellie rolled over.

she's been working on it for awhile but kept getting her arm stuck. you know, the one she's trying to roll over top of.

well, i laid her in the crib today after scott and kelly's shower while i got ready to go to vincent's one-year birthday and then to cover a graduation for work. i could hear her grunting away, and went to check on her after awhile.

she was in the one-arm-stuck-underneath position, as usual. but then, all of a sudden, she wiggled a little more and popped that arm out. and she was on her tummy.

i was waching from the door of her nursery, and as soon as she did it shrieked, "you did it!" and ran in to pick her up. i spun her around and kissed her everywhere. singing," i'm so proud of you!" over and over.

she looked at me like, "what on earth is up with you, mom?"

but then she started smiling and giving me her flirty eyes.

i gleefully stuck the "rolled over" sticker on the calendar on today's date.

then i sat amazed.

the tiny life that was born of my body, with her cone head and jaundiced skin, has smiled, held her head up, laughed and is getting bigger each time i look at her.

and today she rolled over.