Samantha went to her first birthday party today. Cole Johnson turned one today. He is the son of Becky and Phil Johnson, our neighbors. Well, they live about five minutes away, not right next-door. There were at least five babies under one, and about five more under age 6. It was pretty amazing. I realized I'd never spent much time with a lot of children all at once in a social setting like that. I could barely hear anything. I met some other neighbors who have two children, a three year old and a 10 month old, and they have a dog the same age as Ella. I thought of Emily. She would be about the same age as their eldest. Made me feel sad. I guess that is going to always happen. I'll just have to roll with it.

Samantha took everything in stride. Once again, someone commented that she seems very knowing, wise, as though she sees into them. It was a bit eerie, actually. I've had so many people say that to me. People who have only seen her picture have said that. I think she is special too, I just see her more as a happy tornado.

She turns out to have a stomach bug again, in addition to teething, so it is hard to get her to sleep. I tried earlier, around 7:30, and Matt is in there now trying again. She is tired; she's just not able to settle down enough to sleep. Matt will wait her out longer than I do. I'm sure he'll have her asleep in just a little while.