Happy Birthday to My Big Girl!!

1 Day Old

(For the audience) I don't know where the time has gone! As I look at my baby girl and see how she has grown it's all so very bittersweet and I'm slightly torn. I love how quickly she is developing and I absolutely love to watch the wonder in her eyes as she discovers something new to her. I wish that I could live my life with child's eyes, O, to find wonder in everyday things. I'm torn in the fact that I don't have much more time with her before I hear the words, "Mommy, I can do it all by myself." Right now I'm included in everything she does, but I know a day, not so far away will come when I'm not needed as much. With these things having been said, time to move on to happier words!!

1 Year Old

(For my Daughter) I was right in my predictions! You, my dearest Alana, are walking ALL OVER THE PLACE!! You fully mastered this about 4 weeks ago, right around 11 months. All the videos and pictures of you trying and then BAM one day you just got it. I'm so proud! It is so incredibly cute to watch you toddle around. your little baby feet "smack, smack, smack" the ground and you weeble wobble all over the house. You've also attempted your form of running, don't have that down just yet, but I know it's coming, and quickly. It's nice to have a walking buddy now, although the pace is slow, it's still enjoyable. 

Your teeth are sprouting all over your mouth!! You've got the two bottom teeth and 4 upper teeth with 2 more coming in!! Your lil baby smile is so adorable with your little baby teeth! There is a dark side to this though, you have discovered biting. I'm not talking about just biting food either :-(  You have, on occasion, bitten me in frustration. Let me tell you, it does NOT feel good. But, no worries, my dear, we are working through it.

Did you know that you can bark? Ha ha, it's true!!! You've finally discovered your love for the furry creatures. It all started with the neighbors itty bitty baby Yorkie-poo. Its lil yip was so cute, and you learned to mimic it. Now every time you see a puppy you bark, it's incredibly cute! In conjunction with that, you also respond correctly to the following questions: "What does a puppy say?", and "What does a tiger say?" The latter came about from watching Animal Planet. We are currently working on what a bear and a monkey says. 

Along the same lines is your developing vocabulary. Though most of what you say is syllabic mimics of the words, you seem to know what those mimics mean. But you can clearly say, "Mama, Dada, and all gone." You and I have also been working on your sign language, and I'm proud to say, my lil smarty pants, you can say "please", "thank you", and "more", in sign language. You seem to understand when to use "please" and I'm sure the understanding of the others will come shortly.  You give hugs and snuggles, kisses and eskimo kisses, and you headbutt, ha ha ha. 

Whenever music plays, you dance and sometimes you sing too. Your dancing repertoire has broadened. You will shake your little self, you will put your hands above your head and turn in a wide circle, and when you are in your car seat you will shake your legs and wiggle your toes. When you're with Daddy you'll "bang your head" to music. Again, another fun thing to watch you do! You make me laugh on a daily basis :-) 

Good news for you and for family: in approx 13 days we will be moving across the country to begin our new life in Colorado!! Your grandparents are ecstatic about being able to see you "when ever they want". I'm happy for them, because I was worried they would miss out on seeing you grow up. There are a lot of better opportunities out in Colorado, so your Daddy feels and believes that this is the best thing for us and so we follow :-) You'll love it out there! Mountains with snow year-round, uncles and an aunt to play with, friends at Church, and when you're old enough you can ride with Grandpa on his motorcycle!! It's good to be moving now because it won't be as hard on you, with you being as little as you are.  

My darling dear, today is your birthday and I can't believe how quickly you've grown! You get more beautiful everyday. Your Father and I love you so very much!! My heart is so full of love for you, that sometimes I don't think it can handle it! You make our world so much better everyday. I can't wait to see what you learn this month! 

My parting words of wisdom:
Never stop learning. There is always something new to learn and it is good for the mind!