A Fine Mess: July 2013

Tomorrow you will turn one. I can't believe it.

There was a time I didn't think I would be a mom at all. Then our plans changed and I thought I would become a mom through the gift of adoption. Then came a positive pregnancy test that was so unexpected and unbelievable. I worried about you when you were growing inside me. I loved being pregnant with you, but I was so scared that you would be taken away from me. Then you were here, and all the worry melted away. Hearing your first cry and seeing your daddy's face as he held you made my heart so full it could burst. I would relive that moment a thousand times if I could.

Part of me is sad you are turning one because I miss cuddling with my little, squishy baby. But a bigger part of me loves the wonderful little person you have become. Jabbering and moving and playing and into something new each day. You are so much fun. I love hearing your laugh and seeing your beautiful smile.

Tonight as I nursed you before bed I thought of our first night home from the hospital. You were up almost all night nursing. The next day I remember crying- telling my mom and my friends that I didn't think I could do it. But I did it. We did it. You are a wiggly, busy nurser now, and can't be bothered to sit still for more than 10 minutes, but I am so glad I still have my snuggle time with you.

I put you to bed tonight as a baby, tomorrow you will be a toddler. But you will always be my sweet, miracle baby no matter how fast the years pass. I love you so much, baby girl. Thank you for healing my heart.

I'm a little late. Sadie is just such a busy girl lately that I don't have much time to blog!

Age: 11 Months

Weight: about 20 lbs

Length: 28 inches (I haven't measured in several weeks)

Size: She is in 12 month clothes, but some are starting to get snug. We may have to move to 18 month sooner than I thought.

Hair: brown and getting pretty long on top. It may be long enough for a tiny ponytail, but I haven't tried.

Eyes: still big, beautiful, brown, and aware!

Teeth: 2 bottom teeth. Her top left is poking through as I type this, but technically it wasn't on her 11 month birthday :). The other top one is coming soon.

Sleeping: She was sleeping very well, 10-12 hours mostly through the night, until we went on vacation. More on that later. Now she is waking up 1-2 times again but I think it will get better as we settle back into our routine. Naps are going well. She is on a pretty predictable nap schedule now, they are just too short sometimes. Sometimes I miss the little cuddly baby who would only nap on my lap! Now she is too busy to sit still.

Eating: Still nursing regularly and eating lots of table food. She loves macaroni, grilled cheese, pizza, spaghetti, and quesadillas. She also loves blueberries and yogurt. She is a very good eater. Cheerios are a favorite too. When I get the box out in the morning she gets so excited. She also got some out of her diaper bag and was able to open a baggie to get to them. I will post a pic of that below. We have given her whole milk a few times in a sippy cup. I don't plan to stop nursing her at 12 months (I will follow her lead with that), but I will not be pumping anymore so she will have to drink milk at the sitter in the fall. She will drink a little milk but she prefers water.

Movement: She is a super fast crawler, and regularly "furniture surfs." She loves walking with her shopping cart and anything else she can push. She loves to stand, and will pull herself up on anything and everything! She will stand for a few seconds on her own. She decided that climbing up the slide was easier than the steps on her outdoor play set. I gave up trying to keep her from climbing on the couch and I'm now trying to teacher how to get down safely. She also dances when her toys play music. She shakes her hips and bottom- it's so cute and funny.

Milestones: waving! She will wave and say "buh-buh." It's so cute. While we were on vacation she would wave to random people. She also says several words (meaning she says the first letter or syllable, but she uses it in context). In addition to bye-bye, she says ball, dada (daddy), and dog. When we go in the backyard so will look in the neighbor's yard for the dahs (dogs) and wave to them. She had her first zoo trip while on vacation and all the animals were dahs. She loves the pool, and while swimming at my friend's house she kept point to all the bahs (balls) until we brought them to her. If one floated away she would point and say bah until we brought it back to her. She will say mama, but it's usually just when she's crying. Little stinker ;). Other milestones include moving to a big girl carseat, getting her first pair of "real" shoes, riding on a carousel, and traveling! On vacation we went to St. Louis, Kansas City, Omaha, Des Moines, and Indianapolis. 5 cities in 6 days! She did wonderful. She tolerated a time change and a different hotel almost every night. Dave figured out that combined with our Boston trip last fall, she has visited 15 states before her first birthday!

Favorite Toys/Activities: She continues to love books and will read anywhere and everywhere. I had to hunt for vinyl books for her to read at the pool and in the tub. She loves going to the pool! She also enjoys chasing Shorty and stealing her blanket (poor puppy), climbing, and emptying bins and baskets. She can throw a basket of laundry around her room in less than a minute.

Dislikes: She hates getting her hands and face wiped. She will try to block me from wiping her face. She also dislikes things being taken from her (because despite all her toys she always tries to play with things she shouldn't have). She lets out this high pitched squeal when she is upset. Right now I think it's funny. Maybe in a few months I won't ;).

Words & Sounds: I mentioned all of her words above, but she also does a fake laugh and a fake gasping sound. They are both so adorable.

Her 12 month will be my last monthly update. I seriously can't believe how fast a year has gone. This year has been filled with so much joy! We are so blessed.