12 Months

 

It's hard to believe that this is the last letter monthly picture we'll take.  12 months of being your mom and watching you grow.  I can't even believe that a year ago you were a (not so little) 9 pound baby, sleeping on my chest.  And now you're an (almost) walking, kind of talking, smiling, wild little one year old!  I can't really say I'm a mom of a baby any more, but a mom of a toddler.  

We used to say it all the time, and guess what? Your dad and I still look at each other all the time and can't believe you are ours and ask how we got so lucky.  There are still days I can't believe I get to be your mom. 

 

This month has gone by fast!  Like last month, we spend a lot of time outside.  At parks, in our baby pool and water table or even at the beach.  We've been to the beach a few times at least this month and you love it.  You love playing in the water and have no fear! You'll crawl all over, eat the sand, climb little sand hills and walk in the water.  It's quite an ordeal cleaning you off though!

You love to climb on everything.  Toys, chairs, Molly.  Everything.  You are always on the move and it can get exhausting! You do not like sitting still.  I love your sense for adventure, but your lack of fear makes me nervous.  Especially after your fall on your birthday.  You fell off grandma and grandpa's recliner and went head first.  After crying for a minute you passed out and it was the scariest moment.  I don't even like to think about it, because I have never been so panicked and scared.  Thankfully you were okay, but I never want to relive that again!  It was a reminder for me that I need to continually hand over my worries to God and trust that He will take care of you. 

One of my favorite days this month was when we went to Fiesta Days in McHenry.  There was a band playing and the three of us walked around, danced, ate food and had so much fun.  The next day we found out that there was a picture of you in the paper.  It was SO big and will be hanging up in our house for a long time.  You were famous! 

This month you went to your first parade and first time at the zoo and loved both of them.  So far there hasn't really been anything you haven't liked doing.  You're always excited when we go new places and it's so fun doing new things with you.  It makes me look forward to lots of fun things ahead.

While you are usually happy, you have your moments.  You've started throwing little fits when you don't get what you want.  Like when I take away something you shouldn't be playing with, try to make you sit in a cart or bring you in from outside.  You can go from being happy to so upset in a second.

This month you started taking steps and took about ten in a row a few nights before your birthday.  Your dad and I both almost cried when you did it.  It's so funny watching your tiny little body wobble around.  I'm sure you'll be running in no time.  You've also started talking so much more.  I can tell you're trying to repeat words and tell us things.  Mostly you just go "eh? eh? eh?" over and over and over.  But you do say mama, daddy, up, and even balloon.  (Which sounds much like baboon).   

I've had a lot of moments this month being sad that this year has come to an end.  I look back at your baby pictures and wish for those times of cuddling you and holding your little self back.  But it has been so fun watching your personality grow.  You're taking lots of steps, trying so badly to talk and interacting with us and others so much more.  It's crazy how fast this last year has gone.  You are such a fun, silly, wild, active and sweet girl.  This last year has gone so quickly, yet I can't even imagine you not in our lives.  We feel so lucky that God gave you to us and we couldn't love you more.

Happy 12 months Addilyn Jane!

Love,
your mom