Month Twelve

My sweet, sweet baby,

Today you turn ONE YEAR OLD! If this year had gone any faster, you'd be ten. I try and stop almost every day and soak you in, but still the days and weeks fly by.



You're finally walking more, but it seems to be only when you want to and crawling is still faster, so you'll resort to that when necessary. You're definitely a baby on the move and barely sit still except to eat and drink a bottle. We've switched you to soy milk and you did that like a champ, but you're not crazy about the sippy cup. In your mind, only water goes in that cup and you refuse to drink your milk from it yet. It's ok, no one generally goes to college still drinking a bottle, and I doubt you will either.



You're so curious and smart already, figuring things out for yourself. You'll sit and watch Mickey and play for twenty to thirty minutes already. You're pretty much eating whatever we are eating and love bananas.



Things still go in your mouth, but not quite as bad as it was and you've even started giving me and daddy little things you pick up from the ground. We took you to the beach a few weeks ago, and you did great, playing and digging without eating the sand.



You love to make silly faces and noises and it's the quickest way to make you laugh. Your big brothers especially like tempting you with crazy sounds and no one can make you laugh like them. You definitely have your own personality and an idea of how life should be, and if you don't get your way, you're not afraid to show it. Thankfully, you're easily distracted and the screaming doesn't last too long.



Sadly, right before you turned 11 months old, Mammaw, whom you were named after, passed away. I hate you didn't get a chance to know each other better, but I know she's watching over us from Heaven and she loves you very much.

You continue to bring joy and sunshine to my life and I'm so proud to be your Mama!

I love you with all my heart, baby girl.

Month Ten

Whoa Baby,

It hit me the other day that you are almost ONE YEAR OLD already. I admit, I was a little sad. Even though I try and stop everyday and soak in the moment, I find I already can't remember how tiny you were, and the days I spent holding you in my arms for hours at a time are fuzzy memories. You are so, so busy now that I can't even imagine you sitting still for a minute, much less an hour.



This month, you started clapping, waving bye-bye, and shaking your head no. The one surprise to me was you didn't start walking, even though you stand on your own all the time and push random objects around. I promise I'm not rushing you, but learning to walk would be nice. You're loath to sit in your stroller for long and walking would alleviate a little of this aggravation when it's not safe to crawl. It's ok though, take your time.



Another sweet thing you do is lie your head on pillows, pretending to go night-night. And you've started showing us more deliberate signs of affection, like lying your head on our shoulders or trying to give kisses.



Everything still goes in your mouth and I'm constantly fishing random things from between your cheeks and teeth. It doesn't matter how often I vacuum, you still find that one little piece of dirt.



You're so smart, baby girl, already. Curious and vocal, the light of our lives. Even when I get a little overwhelmed, I still thank God everyday for choosing me to be your mama.



I love you, Little Bit.

Month Nine

Oh Little Bit,

You're just determined to keep growing, huh? You have officially been out longer than you were in and my life will never be the same.



Everywhere we go, people can't get over how happy you are. That's what I hear all the time, "She's so happy." Except for the few times I don't dress you in all pink and then it's, "He's so happy." Either way, you are one happy baby. As long as no one else is holding you, that is. :)



Month nine has been crazy, crazy. Your brothers were on winter break, you got two more teeth at the same time (making that five), you started pulling up/cruising, and you had a cold. Sleep was not your friend, nor mine, and then you weren't so happy.



Thankfully, I think we have moved mostly past that for now and the past few nights, you have been sleeping well again. Of course, now you are trying to stand all on your own, so I'm sure things will get hairy again in a couple of weeks. In fact, during our photo shoot, you tried to stand upright from the ground. No taking it easy for you, like slowly letting go of the couch, nope, you just want to stand up on your own.



My time is up. Your brother just woke you. I love you, sweet baby. Now and Always.



Mama

Month Seven

My Baby Girl,

Oh my, this was a busy month! First you learned to sit up all on your own.



And then as soon as you mastered that, you decided it wasn't enough, so you started to crawl!





And now you won't stay still. What happened to the supposed time where I could put you down with some toys and actually get things done around the house without you following after me or heading for the computer cord? I should have known you would be an early mover. You are fascinated with your brothers and no one makes you laugh or holds your attention like they do.



The time change and learning all this new stuff has really done a number on your napping schedule, so we're suffering through some nights as well, but I think we'll get it worked out soon. You're eating more too and I may try to add a couple of finger foods this month to hold your attention. You sure do eye our food all the time.



You've taught me so much, baby girl, in these seven short months. To slow down, enjoy the little day to day things and to be a better mother for you and your brothers. I enjoy every day with you, my sweet.

Love, Mama

Month Six

Dear Ellie Raine,

You turned 6 months old this week. SIX MONTHS! Half a year already. Life is getting more and more fun. You're laughter is contagious and you will give anyone a smile.



You're starting to sit up on your own and you love to play with toys already. I can lay you on your floor and you'll be content for 30 or so minutes just rolling around and banging on various things.



This month, within days of each other, two little bottom teeth popped up. Thankfully, you weren't too cranky and they came in pretty quick. You're eating about 6 or 7 different foods right now and you'd rather eat sometimes than take a bottle.



Sleeping has been a little hit or miss lately. Sometimes you will sleep a 10 hour stretch and then sometimes, you'll still get up for a bottle. Maybe I should let you cry a little, but I just can't bring myself too.



You are definitely ready to go. I won't be surprised if you're an early crawler. You already get up on all fours and rock and you're pretty good at scooting around to get where you want to go.

I love you, baby girl. With all my heart.

Mommy

Month Five

Dear Baby Girl,

Five months?! Really? Stop growing so fast.