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

Half a year

Dear Addi Jane,

I can't even believe you are half a year old! It is hard to believe how much you've grown this month and how fast time is going.  The first time I tried to take your monthly pictures you were not so cooperative.  But it made for some great pictures.  Thankfully when we tried again we got some better pictures!

This month was so fun, mostly because of Christmas.  I know you won't remember it this year but we'll have plenty of pictures to show you.   Christmas with you was better than I even imagined.  I have pictured what holidays would be like when we had a baby and it was so fun to be able to experience my favorite time of the year with you!  I can't wait to make traditions and memories with you. 

At the beginning of this month we took you to your first Christmas party.  Daddy had a work party and you were quite the hit! Every time someone came up to meet you, you would kick your legs, giggle and give the biggest smile.  It was so fun to show you off.  We also took you to see Santa.  At first you were a little skeptical, but decided you liked him after a minute or two.  

Near the end of this month we gave you your first real food to try.  We tried rice cereal a few times and you were disgusted.  Which I can't blame you because we tasted it too and it was not good!  We let you try sweet potatoes and you weren't quite sure what to think.  You may have swallowed a few tiny tastes but most of the time just let it get all over your face and hands!

We got a huge snow storm on New Year's day and it was fun to be stuck at home for two days since Daddy didn't have to work.  We took you outside while the snow was falling and you didn't really know what to think about it getting in your face.  I can't wait until you can play outside next year!

Towards the end of the month you started getting a little cranky.  I'm not sure if it was because we were forced to stay in our house due to the snow and cold weather, or just a little phase but you weren't your normal happy self.  Thankfully I think it is over and you're back to your smiling, people loving self.  I'm sure you will go through all kinds of phases and we will love you through every single one! 

I wish I could tell you your sleep magically started getting better but sadly you are still a poor sleeper! We finally let you cry a little when you woke up shortly after we put you to bed, when we knew you weren't hungry and needed to sleep.  I hate to hear you cry but know that waking up six times a night is not good for either of us.  At the end of the month you've been waking up twice to eat which I'm okay with for now! After five months of being swaddled you are finally free in your crib and sleep on your stomach most of the time.  I was afraid you'd never be out of that swaddle!

This month you learned to sit up on your own and can stay for a really short amount of time but it's so fun to see you learning new things.  

I feel like this month you are really no longer looking like a baby.  Your personality is coming out, you are more vocal and you definitely recognize and know who you want and love.  You love your grandparents and love seeing them.  You laugh and smile whenever anyone walks up the stairs in our house or when we take you out of your carseat and we're around family.  

This month has been a little rough because we've been stuck inside a lot because of the cold weather and snow.  I am so anxious to get out of the house and I feel like you are bored too!  I can't wait for warmer weather so we can go on walks again and get together with our friends.  

It's hard to believe that you've been part of our life for half a year.  It's crazy to think that in another six months you will be one!  I can't imagine life without you and feel so thankful God picked me to be your mom.  Happy half birthday Addi Jane!

Love, 

your mom