12 Months Old!

Happy Birthday my sweet little girl!

This has been the best and shortest year of my life! I'm so blessed to have you and I hope one day you can realize just how much love I have for you.

I'm feeling so many things right now. Shock over how fast this year went. Sadness that it seemed to go so fast and that you're growing up so fast. Excitement that you're a year old and doing so many neat and wonderful things. So much love that I couldn't even begin to describe how much I feel for you.

This past year has honestly been so wonderful. I can't even imagine what my life would be like without you. Lately I just hug and squeeze you even more than usual, remembering that soon you'll be too big to want me to do it. Thank God you can't run away from me yet! I rock you more at night now that every time I lay you down, I'm reminded that you are going to be too old for me to do it oneday. I just can't believe this.

I can't believe my tiny newborn is this huge toddler now. Taking steps on her own. Wearing big girl clothes. Defiantly doing things she knows she shouldn't. How did this happen overnight!?

I've been working on a video for your birthday and all I do is cry and wish I could do it all over again. All of it. The late nights, the colic, the first smiles, the first everythings. It's so hard to remember that you're still little and there are so many firsts still to come. I'm trying but I can't help but be overwhelmed with how much already you don't need me anymore. I know that every thing new that happens in your young little life is cooler and better than the month before, but I just really need you to slow down a bit for me. Please!

Ok, I realize I sound incredibly selfish and sappy, but I just don't know how to stop right now. I just love you so much and I'm overwhelmed with how much things are changing. Looking at all the old photos and remembering is bringing so much back! It's hard to look at those photos and you in person now and see my tiny infant. You're all grown up! Well, a grown up baby at least.

This past month has been a big one it seems.

You now have seven teeth and a molar on the way. Looks like a full mouth of teeth when you smile. Incredible!

You eat pretty much everything now. I'm excited to give you whole milk soon and peanuts too! Then we can pb&j sandwiches at last. Pancakes are still your favorite followed by bananas and melon. Although, you did have cake at your party this weekend and on your birthday today, so that may be your new favorite. :)

Still in size 3 diapers during the day and we just moved up to size 5 overnights.

You're in size 9 month clothes with a few things in size 12, but not much. We don't have a doctors appointment until November 3, so I won't know your measurements until then, but I'm guessing almost 19 pounds when we go. You love the food!

The most exciting thing is, you too your first steps!! Just this past weekend at your birthday party, which was awesome. You did it in front of all of you immediate family, which was so neat to share with everyone. Way to go!

You're slowly starting to stand on your own for longer periods of time, but not that long. By next month I'm thinking you'll be a pro.

You crawl on all fours most of the time now. Only took you 11 months to ditch the army crawl (which you still do pretty often too). No big deal. I just think it's cute to see you actually going around on all fours after all this time army crawling.

Your favorite toys are books, your play kitchen and home, a stuffed brown dog, and your musical instruments.

We started a toddler class last month that has play time and band time, and you just love the instruments. We have a lot of fun at that class playing and now you even have some instruments from Uncle Kevin at home.

You also are playing more independantly at home. This is nice for Mom to get some things done on her own. :)

We went to your fist cider mill and pumpkin patch this month too. You loved the tiny bit of donut you got. Not too interested in the pumpkins, next year!

I'm trying to remember all the new things from this past month and I think I got them. Still no words really. You say the da da sound, but I'm not really sure it's on purpose yet. Occasionally I think I hear a "doggie" sound, but I'm not sure on that either. Soon I bet!

Happy Birthday my love! Thank you for the most special year of my life. Truely!

I know I'm sad that this first year is over, but I really am so excited and happy for what lays in store for us and for you. You have so much yet to do and I just can't wait to see how much you love life and all the new and fun things you'll be discovering. It's going to be so great. I know it.

love you forever with the most love you can imagine,

Mommy