My sweet baby girl…

In less than 17 days, you will be ONE year old.  This past year has truly flown by.  I’ve watched you grow, and I was there for your first smile.  I am forever thankful for being so blessed to be your mommy.

In everything you do, you never cease to amaze me.  There are so many funny things….

Things like:  Your playpen.  You LOVE playing by yourself and will do so for 1-2 hours at a time.  I love listening you babble to your toys.  Of course, you love playing with us (and anyone else), too…but listening to you babble to your toys and stuffed animals delights me.  However, sometimes…you pretty much freak out if we need you to sit in the playpen (like when we’re making supper or have to clean).  You calm down, though, if we fold the one blanket that is in your playpen, and hang it on the side (should you get cold later), stack the plastic rings on the peg, fill the plush picnic basket back up with your play food and any other toys you’ve collected, set your mirror up, and move everything else to the outer edges.  Sometimes I actually wonder if I’m TEACHING you to be OCD.  Or, perhaps, I’m teaching you to be tidy?  I’m really hoping it’s the latter.  Maybe we should start working on that folding clothes thing again?

You now know the meaning of “no.”  Although, sometimes you still try to test us, with that sly little grin on your face, as if saying “and what are you going to do about it?”  And, if we do something you don’t like? - You will try to push our hands away saying “Don’t.”  Or, you’ll pat something saying “No, no, no.”  –Which all started when you tried to take your diaper off and I patted your hands and tried to be firm saying “No no no” about a couple of months ago.  And for weeks, you would pat your tummy and say “no no no!”

You know what pain is.  And, now you say “Ow.” - If it didn’t hurt too bad (otherwise you just cry).  You also know how to inflict pain…whether it’s by slapping mommy’s arm saying “Ow!” (our bad - we actually taught you that one) or when you throw your toys onto the ground saying “OW!”

Or, how WHEN YOU WANT, you’ll hand us a toy.  Especially if we ask nicely and hold our hand out for it.  You’ll put it in our hand.  But, then you get bored after repeated asking…so you flog us with them.  It really hurts when hard plastic is swung into your left temple, baby girl.  Maybe next time we could try the teddy bear?

You have started to show an interest in walking, as well.  Although…not too much.  You’d rather crawl.  You LOVE crawling.  You cruise around on furniture, and you will push your little cart around, constantly stopping to put animals and toys in…or evicting them from their seats, only to lick them and put them back in (did they pass the tase test?)  You are great at standing on your own, and every time you do it, I can see improvements on your balance.  Occasionally, you’ll get a little frustrated, and you’ll bump your head on the floor…or onto the cart.  Not repeatedly.  Just once, and you may even pause a moment to rest, but then you are at it again.  And, never with tears.

Food.  You LOVE food. Everyone’s telling me that you should be eating more solid food now, and about ready to give up your formula.  But, you love your bottle.  I’m not sure how that’s going to go over with you.  You love peas, bananas, and almost any other fruits.  You also love Mimi’s mac n cheese, bread dressing, and basically anything sweet or rich.  You are a true southern girl - and after my own heart.

But, that’s not all you like to eat.  You love tasting things.  Anything.  Apparently even your crib.  In fact, after years of that crib surviving mommy and uncle Josh, it now has marks where you’ve chewed on the wood.  I don’t ever recall bringing a hamster home.  I guess, better the crib than my fingers, though.

You have now latched onto the meaning of “bye bye.”  Anytime we leave a room, you wave goodbye.  In church, as people walk out the back door in mid-service to use the restrooms, you bid them all goodbye - with a wave and your precious voice “bye bye bye!”

You are also incredibly smart.  Somehow, you can retrieve your lovey (a small blanket) from the middle of the crib…while you stand on the outside.  You know how to put your hands “just so” on a laptop to type, and you know how to call people on the cell phone.  Like Granny.  Which you did.   Lucky for us, you haven’t found a cutie in China.  YET.

You love hugs.  You will crawl up to me while playing to sit in my lap, so I will read to you.  And, you will occasionally crawl over, stand up, and then reach out for a hug from mommy.  I cherish moments like these.

You love music, and you love dancing.  I love the way your eyes light up when you hear music.  Country, Oldies, R&B, Upbeat Gospel…you love it all.  Even Father Mike likes watching you dance in church.  You are beautiful, child.

You also love bath-time.  In fact, it measure closely to eating.  I’m not sure you’d know which to choose.  Both, actually.  You’d choose to drink your “ba-ba” in the bathtub.  Smart girl.

If you are hungry, and someone mentions “ba-ba,” you’ll go nuts (temporarily), until it’s in your mouth.  We have to speak in code when it’s dinner time for you.

Currently, you take naps 2-3 x a day, 1-2 hrs each.  You clutch your lovey and you put your thumb in your mouth.  It’s the only time you suck your thumb (right thumb).

You love people.  Having a full tummy and being well rested makes you love them more.  Certain people you get along with better.  You’re still getting used to Ma, Pa, Nana, and Papaw…  I’m not sure why you throw a fit when they try to hold you.  Their build?  Is their some smell that you pick up on and we just miss?  The way they talk?  What is it?  You have me accused of not “socializing ” you properly.  It’s okay though.  I’d love to hold you a bit longer.  And, when I’m tired - always be sure that Mimi is ready to hold you, too (and I better not leave Granny out!) lol

You’ll be one soon.  And, as happy as I am to see all the new things to come - this is bittersweet for me.  I’m reluctant to let my “baby” girl go.  But, even so…I look forward to the journey ahead.  With you.

Love,

Mommy

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