I remember the night Elisa was conceived and while I won’t go into details, I often get asked if Elisa was planned or an accident. And despite the answer, here we are, with her at one.

I am writing this on the flight to Xian, Yang asleep to my right. Moments ago she told me that earlier today Elisa was standing in her crib, asking for the ayi to hold her. The ayi told her to wait until the clothes were folded. When the ayi was done and went to the crib to pick up Elisa, Elisa waved her off – the rejected child becoming the rejecter.

Elisa at one day and at one year. She’s changed a lot – of course – and so have the other four of us as we’ve made way for her in our lives.

We had a party for her at the once hip sports themed restaurant/bar called “All-Star”. This is the second time Elisa made it to All Star, at least I think so. What I remember was All-Star had just opened in time for the Olympics and it was packed with people watching other people watch the China basketball game on TV. We could not get a seat, but then the middle aged woman manager took pity on us because we had a week old baby with us. So we got a table, ordered had food prepared by a Michelin chef, and watched the game.

The Michelin chef is now gone, the manager is no where to be found, and the All-Star was quite happy to host about ten friends and associated kids. The kids sat at the kids and ayi table, Aidan furiously playing with a Game Boy he had borrowed from one the other older kids. Pizza came, pizza went. Chicken wings came, chicken wings went. And then it was time to cut the cake and sing happy birthday to the little girl who is still little enough not to know what a birthday is.

The kids table with Lydia and Elisa back to camera and the best family photo we could muster.

Now that Elisa is walking, one of my favorite moments is coming home from work and her seeing me cross the doorway and her waddling on over to give me a hug. With just the happiest smile on her face. I wonder when does this stop. And then I look over to the living room, Aidan and Lydia sprawled out on the couch, watching cartoons.