Dear Q,
How has a year gone by so fast? Daddy and I keep talking about how it feels like you just arrived yesterday and it also feels like you’ve been with us forever. We can’t imagine life without you, that’s for sure.
This year we have learned so much about ourselves, each other and about you, baby girl. You turned us into parents. You have redefined the meaning of the word Love. I don’t know if I truly knew what love meant before you came along. Now when my heart explodes every day when I see your sweet face I know exactly what love is and what life is all about.
Every month seems like more and more fun and I can honestly say that this is the most fun stage yet. You’re crawling like a little speed demon. You have a very loud ‘stompy’ crawl, so it’s pretty easy to figure out where you are except for when you are making mischief, then you are silent! Your favorite spots to crawl away to are Daddy’s bathroom, the cat food dishes, and Mommy & Daddy’s bedroom. Now we keep the wicker chest across the doorway of the living room so you can’t escape! I have a feeling you’re going to figure out how to move it pretty soon though.
In addition to crawling you are cruising like a champion. You don’t NEED to hold on to things for balance anymore but you’re not confident enough to stand or walk without holding on. You get around though! You’re able to stand for over a minute at a time but you only do it when you find something that needs two hands to hold or if we set you down on an unfamiliar surface like newspaper, woodchips, or in the pool. It’s adorable. You stand for a few minutes until you get your bearings and then you sit down. We think you’ll be walking by September but I’m not in a hurry. Once you’re walking I’m REALLY going to have to chase you!
After being rather quiet in general you’ve started babbling all the time. You have a special word for the cats. “AH-heeeeeeee” I think you’re trying to say Ki-tty. I wasn’t counting it as a word until you started saying it when you see pictures of cats too. You also say “mmmmmmm-bah”, “dadadadada” “nananana” and all sorts of combinations. There’s new sounds coming out every day and in contrast to your hoarse baritone voice of a few months ago, your chattering is super high pitched. It’s so funny. I can’t wait to hear what your voice will sound like when you really start talking. And I’d love if you added “Mama” to the mix!
We’re trying to do a lot of signing with you as well and you’re catching on with “Milk” and “More”. Right now you’re mostly signing for milk WHILE you’re nursing instead of using the sign to ask for it but we’ll get there! I hope that the signs will help us communicate and lower your frustration levels in the future. We’re on the verge of toddler tantrums and I’m not looking forward to them!
Your other “tricks” are waving, sticking out your tongue and blowing raspberries. You’ll do all of those things back to us if we do them to you. You also wave when we clap so we’re still working on that. 🙂
You’re still a really happy girl. You prefer to stick close to Mommy in group settings like music class but you warm up easily to visitors and to our family. You love strawberries, bananas, quesadillas, pasta, corn and tons of other foods. George is your best friend and you get SO excited to see him every morning. He gets excited to see you too and waits outside your bedroom door to be let in. I’m so glad you two love each other, it makes me so happy. Stella is warming up to you as well. She still keeps her distance but she’s approached you a few times and even let you pet her. Progress!
You still love nursing and I do too (most of the time!) so we’re continuing that relationship as long as it continues to work for both of us. I love the snuggles that I get from you. I love knowing that while I may not be a perfect parent my body is still providing a perfect food to meet your ever changing needs.
You are such an amazing little person. I can’t believe how fast you’re changing and how much you’re learning every single day. You’re smart, sweet, curious and beautiful, a total package of a one year old. I still catch myself wanting to press the pause button and keep you like this forever but I’m also excited to see what is next for you. I’m so thankful that I get to be on this incredible journey with you.
Love you forever and ever and ever,
Mommy
