Happy Birthday, Reese!

One

Reese is 1. Happy first anniversary of her day of birth! Do you remember that age when everything is still a possibility, no mistakes have been made, and we are so pure and innocent that all our requirements in life are basic? Her cherubic face is mostly always carefree, with a shy grin for the rest of us and a face-beaming opened-mouth smile for her sister Cora. Her family provides a stress-free, sunny life for Reese, with no trials and no difficulties, save an occasional diaper blowout. Reese’s visage reflects that, as she glows with security and love, like a Cheshire buddha.

Reese mirrors my sister Erin’s introversion, which is a general trait of the Higgins family. Cora is the opposite, an extreme extrovert, reflecting the ubiquitous Hazley quality. Reese quietly and warily observes strangers from afar. If an unfamiliar person enters her invisible bubble, she explodes in an unprecedented wail. The radius of that bubble circle varies depending on her familiarity with the face and her courage at that moment. 

Reese is a beach bum baby. When you sit her on the wet sand at the edge of the water line at the beach, she flips herself to her knees and crawls directly into the waves. If you try to save her from a guaranteed tumble in the water, she stiffens her body, arches her back, and demand release from the confines of your protective embrace. She loves to be covered in sand from every chubby baby fold to inside her teething mouth. Reese will sit for hours moving sand with her pudgy little fingers, making patterns in the sand or stuffing here plastic play tubes.

Daddy’s Girl

A daddy’s girl at heart, Reese’s favorite place is to be tucked in Mike’s elbow, observing the rest of us perched at almost 7 feet high at unreachable heights. She feels safe here. If something happens that causes Reese to warrant a retreat, her dad’s neck provides a safe place to bury her face and hide from the offending issue.

Mommy’s Girl

Reese and Erin’s relationship is one with limited distance. Reese knows mom provides all she needs- food, sleep, comfort, protection, entertainment, and (some) control of Cora’s behavior. Erin speaks of the “umbilical cord” which is the distance that Reese will allow Erin to be separated from her. Erin is Reese’s secure island from which she can watch the outside world float around her.

Cora

Cora. Reese’s primary focus. Cora is the holder of the honor of Reese’s first word- “Ora.” Reese will mimic everything Cora says or does. Cora screeches unintelligibly. Reese attempts a squeal. Cora washes her hair in the bathtub. Reese tries to get her hands up to her baldish head. Cora runs away from her and Reese uses her rudimentary crawling skills to put on chase.

Cora is also the sibling to rival. Cora learned that if she sits on the lap of Reese’s chosen comforter, Reese will ball up her fists and scream in anger. Cora smirks. Reese pushes Cora to get off. Cora pushes back. The battle for control of the lap disintegrates into chaos, with the adult clamoring for control. As in a movie prolepsis, I glimpse future battles over toys, snacks, friends, boys, cars, and who gets the better bedroom at the shared beach house. This flash-forward brings a smile to my lips.

Grandma and Grandpa

Reese’s extended island of safety is Grandma and Grandpa‘s house. Here, Reese finds comfort in a regimented routine. This is monitored by Erin and embraced by Grandma. Grandma knows when it is time for the bottle, the nap, and the play. Using the formula “EASY”, it’s “easy” to read Reese- Eat, Activity, Sleep, Your time. Erin uses this anagram to help others understand where Reese might be in her need cycle. Grandma follows it diligently, documenting the last bottle time, how long Reese’s nap was, unusual poops, and if there was anything outstanding. Having spent 32 years as a teacher of little kids, Grandma incorporates age-appropriate learning skills into Reese’s day. There are activities of a sensory nature, incorporated music themes, and beginning reading and writing skills. Reese avidly absorbs this knowledge.

Grandpa is the controller of the coveted iPad. Grandpa limits screen time and is the one to ask for permission. Grandpa’s recliner is a favorite place of both Reese and Cora. I find them leaning on Grandpa’s arm, watching videos on YouTube, oblivious to all other things.

Uncle Sean

Uncle Sean is an enigma to Reese. He is present less frequently than the above characters. He has a short beard, dark hair, and olive skin, which is unusual in her world of clean-shaven paler faces with grey and blonde hair. At first, the circle Sean could pass into that would incite a wail from Reese was 6 feet, then 5, then 4, then 3, 2, but not 1. Reese would play a coy, smiling peek-a-boo with Sean from afar. When he would walk away to make a sandwich, she would crawl after him, but only to that 2 feet diameter. If he turned around and started walking toward her, she would scurry back like a spider, avoiding the flashlight light ring.

Cheers

For someone so very young, and who has been in this world for a time that I can easily count in days, Reese has made the biggest impact on our hearts. I would have thought that adding a second niece would have split my time and halved my love, instead the love has doubled. Cheers to another 365, Rees