One Year

Baby girl, I can't believe it's been a year. (Well almost, we have two more weeks.) It's been a wild year. I can't imagine my life without you anymore, nor do I know how but I manage to love you more everyday. You have brought so much joy to your father and I, everyday you make us smile, laugh, sometimes cry. You have already taught us so much about what life is really about and how to be better people. I look forward to all you have left to teach us, all the laughs we have yet to laugh, the tears we have yet to cry.

Learning As You Grow

I cannot believe it has been 9 months since your were laying curled up on my chest in the hospital, and already you are WALKING! Crazy! You are the most amazing person I have ever met, and everyday you teach me more about love, patience, respect, and understanding. I am so sad to see you get older and bigger, but am more proud of how smart and kind you are everyday. Your father and I love you more than we ever thought it was possibly to love. There is not a moment in time that I do not want to be with you, I want to capture each sweet smile in my memory, each laugh and tear forever.

As a side note: Merry Christmas!!

Trying to figure this tissue paper stuff out ... 

And the bows.

Chilling with my uncle Robert, talking to Grams.

I just love the "can I please, mom?" look. 

Daddy reading you the "Story of Me"

And our happy baby girl!

I love you!

Happy New Year!!

As another year comes to an end and a new one begins I've spent a lot of time reflecting on ... well, you. Nine months old now. Starting to walk. You took 5 unassisted steps that made your daddy and I very proud and a little sad. You're growing up so quickly. 24lbs and 30inches now. I hope 2013 brings lots of joy for you, even though you won't remover it years from now. We love you!!

1/2 a year later ...

It's been (a little over) 6 months since we first heard you cry and my how you have changed! A list of the milestones just so we have them

4 months: Rolling over both directions, getting up on all fours (but not sure what to do next), 2 teeth
5 months: Up on all fours rocking, Sitting without support
6 months: Crawling (you started this on your 6 month birthday), pulling up

and today (a week shy of 7 months) you started cruising down the furniture and me.

It's crazy how different of a person you are. You're best friend (sorry, I hand picked her for you) was born a few days ago and just seeing the difference 6 short months makes.

(Madison, 6.5 months; Charlotte, 3 days)

We've been busy teaching you how to use your large and small muscles, grasp, stand, crawl, talk. There's been many things you've taught us along the way. The most important lesson I've learned is that clocks don't matter. We'll get up when we get up, we'll leave when we leave, and we'll get there when we get there. Schedules are over rated. Not to be cliche, but stop and smell the roses - or feel the grass beneath your bare feet, or lick the wind (my favorite thing you do), or just look out a window like you've never seen what's on the other side before, because for you, you never have. I think you've been good for you Dad too. He's been more patient, kind, and forgiving. He thinks about things differently, we both do. Before saying or doing, we ask ourselves if it's something we want to teach you. The presidential debate is in full swing these days and while you hear all the time "Which candidate would be good for your child's future?" I've taken a more, "Which candidate would I want my child to learn to be like?" approach.

As always, we love you. You are the love of our lives and I do not know what I would do without you around.

One more, because you're just too darn cute!

(Your first bubble bath - I tell you only because I'm sure you'll do it and feel awful, as a you survived - this picture was taken seconds before you face planted into the bubbles. I felt awful! Dad was taking the pictures, he is not to blame.)

Alright, 2 more.

Mommy's sassy girl!

Sun, Sand, & Sea!

We're nearing the end if your first beach trip, an introduction to the outer banks. The only thing you didn't love was the heat (112 on some days). You loved the sand under your toes, the warm sea water, the sound of the waves, and most of all driving on the beach. (We cheated and let you sit on mommy's lap and look out the front windshield - you smiled and looked around the whole time!). And we can't forget pool time with daddy!! I think you may be our little sea monkey after all. I can't wait to bring you back next year when you'll be running around. It's been a great trip. And we've worn you out.

Little Bit Every Day

Every day you get a little older. And I say older because it's more than bigger and physically capable. I can tell how much your think more and know more every day. Now at 6 months, you have 2 perfect little teeth (that you've had for 2 months now) and seem to be working on more, you can sit up all by yourself (except when you get excited!) and are working sooo hard to crawl, but you have decided that learning to sit from all fours is more important these days. Your father and I love you more than we could have ever imagined. Your personality has blossomed 10 fold. And there is nothing better in a day that your kisses.

We decided to start giving you more than mommy's milk. So far, you're not a big fan. But we'll keep trying, and you have such a good time making a mess that I can't deprive you of that.

You are the love of my life and I don't know what I would do without you.

P.S. - You still eat 3 times a night, so when your babies don't sleep through the night, don't worry. You do what's best for your family.

An oddly placed lesson

4 months huh? You're already becoming our big girl. A tooth has appeared and you have been taking it surprisingly well. There are a few days here and there when you're not so thrilled with the prospect but for the most part it's been happy baby girl.

Yesterday we took you to meet your great grandma Marcia. The last of the great grandparents to meet. Your dad and papa had you laughing up a storm. I missed it. But it always makes me happy to hear you've may someone else's day. That will always be. One of the greatest joys in life is making someone else happy, never forget that!

Funny how someone so small reminds you of the big things in life.