My Sweet C,
One. I keep saying this number over and over in my head. I just cannot grasp the thought that I have a one year old. You have been in our lives for 12 whole months. After years and years of struggle and tears, we were given the greatest blessing when we found out we were expecting (you). You made me a mommy (and your father a daddy).Words will never be able to express the joy you have brought into our family. You were perfectly made and fit into our lives seamlessly. I would not change one minute. Not one second. I cannot imagine life without you.
Your sweet, spunky personality is blossoming daily. You have an opinion about everything. You are a definite mommy’s girl but you also light up when you see your daddy. You have stranger anxiety and a lot of separation anxiety, which I hear is perfectly normal at this age. Needless to say morning drop-offs at daycare are not enjoyable for either of us. You adore being outside. There is so much for you to point out. You want to know what each thing is and will point and give a little “eeeeehhhh” sound and then squeal in delight, especially if you get to touch whatever you may have been pointing too. You have learned to “smell” the flowers. You scrunch up your little nose when I dip you over them.
You take after your momma in the animal loving department. Virgil, our Dogue de Bordeaux, is your best friend. He lets you do ANYTHING to him and is always near. Our other two dogs are a little more reserved. Cede, the Shar-Pei, loves to sniff you, but Chubbi, the bulldog, still hasn’t forgiven you for taking all the attention away from him. He is slowly coming around. Every morning and afternoon you look and look until you find your doggies and then you have to crawl/walk as fast as you can to Virgil and pat him. (Your daddy and I are so thankful that Virgil is so good with you). You have NO fear in regards to dogs and we have to watch you very carefully around other dogs because you try to hug and kiss them all.
You, my girl, know we are wrapped around your little fingers right now. Your Mima says that I am at your beck and call, which is true. I cannot bear to hear you cry or fuss. I am sure at some point you will learn the word no, but I do not foresee it being anytime soon. You are one smart cookie and it amazes us how fast you pick new “tricks” up. From signing, to working the CD player, to climbing the stairs, you do it all after studying it for a minute. We have even caught you trying to get yourself into the bathtub and on the coffee table.
Outside of the house, you are quiet and content to sit in my lap, or in the Moby and watch the world around you. You never make a peep or complain – you do point out everything! We even sat in the MVA for hours and no one would have known you were there. I have no worries taking you in public, restaurants, shops, theater, wherever I go, you go. Again, I do not see this changing anytime soon. Everyone always comments on how good you are and your hair, which is exactly like mine was at your age. Wild. Fuzzy and blonde. You have lots of your daddy's traits but have mommy's coloring.
While this year has been the fastest most incredible journey and it saddens me that my little bitty baby is gone. I am amazed by the child you are turning into. You are showing your daddy and me the world through your eyes and we absolutely adore it. I just wish time would slow down a little. Please.
Happiest of First Birthdays sweet girl.
We love you to the moon and back,
Mommy and Daddy
"If you live to be a hundred. I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live a day without you." - A.A. Milne
"Love is a condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own." - Robert A. Heinlein
