One Year. Never better.

One year old.

I think it’s even harder for me to believe than it would be, because you are actually the size of the average six month old.  Literally.  I took you for your one year check up and you weigh 15 pounds 8 ounces.  I think they’d be worried if your Mama wasn’t just as small (relatively.). 

 

 

You are such a beauty.  I can’t get over the joy that floods me when I look at you and you give me that big toothy smile.  It is precious.  A blessing to me every time.

 

I can’t believe you’re one year old.

 

 

One year ago right now, I was snuggling you, in awe and unbelief that you were here and you were ours.  We seemed like strangers then, although I’ve never loved a stranger that much.  Now we know each other so well, we can read each other, I know your quirks and I’m learning your personality.  I love you all the more.

 

 

You are such a blessing to me.  A gem that stands out brilliantly even in a life so full of blessings.

You love your Mama too.  You want me anytime I am in eye sight.  (Right now you are climbing up my leg.)  In fact your grandparents and your aunties would probably appreciate it if you were a little less attached to me at the hip.  I don’t mind it though.  We go together well.  I think so anyway.

 

 

You love to be held, all the time really.  I think it’s a mixture of your snuggly personality and your survival instinct kicking in around your sister.  If I’m holding you, she can’t get you. 

She loves you, she really does.  She’s just not so gentle about it most of the time.

You are so snuggly.  If we are holding you and ask for a snuggle, you put your arms around us, squeeze as tight as you can, and grunt like your working really hard.  It’s adorable.  If I ask you “How big is Naomi?”  You throw your hands up in the air and yell, imitating my “Soooo big!”. 

 

 

You are still crawling everywhere, and if I pretend like I’m going to get you, you crawl away as fast as you can and give me the most mischievous smile.  You cruise with no hesitation, and you stand on your own pretty easily too.  I think it will still be a little while before you walk though, if only because you love to be held so much.

 

You say Mama and Dada all the time when you want us now.  You also nod and shake your head at appropriate times to tell us yes and no.  You are babbling in such a way now that I think you want to start forming words soon – but we’ll see.

 

 

You are sleeping for several hours each night in your crib now.  Bittersweet.  You’ve slept through the night in your crib a couple of times, but you usually get up once.  Your Daddy has been trying to put you back to sleep when you wake up in hopes of helping you to sleep through the night without nursing, but (dare I say) you are even more stubborn that we are!  That’s hard to do.  We had it coming – stubborn children, I mean – we’ll need to harness that for good before you get too much older.

 

 

You got your Mama’s daring streak.  Your sister is more like your daddy, cautious to try new stunts.  But you, you are going to be my emergency room child.  I can see that already.  You aren’t afraid to try most anything.  You tried your hardest to give the rock wall at the park a go – fearless.  Hopefully you’ll get your Mama’s lucky streak too and not end up with too many broken bones before you’re 18.  My daring streak dwindled significantly upon having children – so I guess I’ll just have to hold my breath and say a prayer until you have your own.

 

There is a fire in your heart, and a love for people that I can see already.  You are such a little light, even at one year old.

 

 

You are happy almost all the time.  I hardly have to work at all to get you belly laughing, and there is no better sound in the world.

 

I love you sweet baby, and I feel so blessed to be your Mama.  You have added so much to our family.  Life is so much sweeter because of you.  I pray for you every day, and thank Jesus for your little life.  Your first year has been wonderful, and I can’t wait to see what is to come.

 

Love you, love you, love you,

                       Mama