One Amazing Year

Our precious little sweet pea,

As we look back over this past year, it's unbelievable how much you've changed our lives and how you've grown from a tiny helpless baby into an independent little girl. Everyone told us how fast the first year would go by and now we understand. It seems like yesterday that we were driving home from the hospital saying, "we really get to keep her?" You have accomplished so many things in the first 12 months of your life...you have been such a busy little girl!

It's been fun to think back and remember some of your firsts: when you first smiled at us...your first road trip (you were a very good traveler)...when you first slept through the night (yay!)...your first week in the church nursery...when you first rolled over...the first time you went #2 in the tub...when you were able to sit up on your own...your first spoonful of green beans...your first playdate with friends...the first time you jumped in your jumperoo...when you got your first tooth...when you (finally) crawled...when you had RSV (and mommy swayed you to sleep until her arms ached, just to have you wake up as she laid you in your crib)...the first time you fed yourself a cheerio...your first experience with snow...when you pulled yourself up to stand next to the coffee table...when you (finally) learned to drink from a sippy cup...first time at the zoo...the first time you threw up...the first time you fell and got hurt...the first time in your swing outside...your first airplane ride...when you said "mama" and "daddy"...the first night you didn't stay with us...and most recently, taking your first steps all by yourself! We could go on and on about all the adorable things you've done! We've taken more pictures than we should have this year, but they will help us remember all the little things that have happened. (and you're so photogenic, we couldn't help ourselves.)

Some of your favorite things are daddy's guitar, bath time, toothbrushes, books, swinging, being outside, Walter, necklaces and earrings, chasing daddy around the living room, cheese, shoulder rides, the tiger puppet at Nana and Papa's house, hanging upside down, the white bear/blanket you sleep with, growling and saying "daddy!" Your least favorite things are having to lay still to get your diaper changed, the end of bath time, hard-tipped sippy cups, not being able to reach (or having something taken away that you could reach but aren't supposed to) and getting your nose sucked out with the "snot sucker" (you've made a lot of progress though.)

We're so blessed by your laid-back temperament. Almost every time we take you out to eat or to a store, someone comments about what a happy, content, smiley little girl you are. We always say that if you get your sleep, you're in a good mood! You weren't always a good sleeper though...those first two months were kind of rough. We're glad you like to sleep now. :)

You make us smile and laugh and you challenge us each day. Just when we think we have you figured out, something changes! You are already very smart and you're starting to get a little mischievous...you definitely keep us on our toes! You make daddy's day by your reaction to seeing him walk through the door after work. You make us not care about sleeping in anymore! You make us a family, instead of just a couple. You are an amazing gift that we can't believe is ours.

We're crazy about you and we love you more than you know,

mommy and daddy

p.s.

Here's a look back at your first year, starting with the day you were born, then each of your giraffe pictures...you're such a little sweetie. :)

May 5, 2008

June 5
July 5
August 5

September 5

October 5

November 5

December 5

January 5

February 5
March 5
April 5

today: May 5, 2009