Month Twelve

Dear Amelia,

Happy birthday! Darling baby girl, it is so hard to believe that you are already one year old! You seem so grown up, and I find it hard to remember that you were ever a tiny and helpless newborn. You are into everything these days, and I love that about you. You are inquisitive, funny, charming, independent, happy and incredibly generous. You share anything you have – your food, sippy cup, blankie, pacifier, toys . . . you want to share it all! When you give us something we always say “thank you”, and you look so proud when we accept your gift! Your favorite book is “The Going To Bed Book”, by Sandra Boynton – you want us to read it all day long, and you don’t want to go to bed unless Daddy and I have each read it at least once.

Funny girl, you have also started to play pretend. Sometimes when you are eating a snack you’ll pick up a piece of food, bring it to your mouth and then quickly hold it out to me. I’ll take it, pretend to eat it, and then hand it back – you then grab it, stuff it in your mouth and grin. It makes me laugh every time! Along the same line as pretending to share your food, when you are eating something that you don’t like, you spit it into your hand and immediately hand it to me. Also, when you drink too fast and choke a little, you bring your hand to your mouth and “give” me your cough.  There is no mistaking that for a game of pretend – we know you don’t want us to give you that cough back! You also like to imitate – when you hear somebody clear their throat, you do the same thing. Then they’ll clear their throat again just to see what you’ll do, and you imitate them again! You think it is SO funny, and so do we. When you hear a dog bark, you make a ‘woof’ sound, and when you see Shelby or want her to head your way, you woof as well – adorable!

You have started standing up on your own more and more. I can tell you are feeling more steady on your feet – that first step should come any day now! When you are standing by the coffee table or by the kitchen gate, you often lift one leg behind you and twist back and forth. You also hold one leg up high sometimes when you’re riding in the stroller. Just the other day when we were out shopping at Target, somebody remarked on your “ballerina leg”! You are eating more and more finger foods and you are so proud that you are able to feed yourself. Breakfast often includes some cheerios/toast/an English muffin, fruit & yogurt and maybe some scrambled eggs. Your favorite finger food, besides Annie’s Cheddar Bunnies, is frozen blueberries. I warm them up in the microwave and toss a handful on your highchair tray – you make such a mess though, that you only get those after dinner, right before your bath.

This month you said Dada for the first time! Now you say it ALL of the time. When Daddy comes home from work and you hear the garage door open, you and Shelby rush to the kitchen gate so you can watch him come in, and you yell “HI DADA!” Right now you can say Mama, Dada, bye-bye, yes/yeah, puppy (puh), nap (aap), book (buh) and of course your multi-purpose word, ba/bau. I love hearing your sweet little voice in the back seat of the car, when you’re riding in the stroller or in the Ergo carrier, while you’re playing with your toys and when you’re singing yourself to sleep. The only sign you use with regularity is ‘milk’. When you want to nurse and you sign for milk, you furrow your brow and look accusingly at me as if I’m holding out on you. Sometimes, when I can’t nurse you right away, you sign milk with both hands held towards me, and a very angry look on your face – that’s when I know you mean business! You wave bye-bye to Daddy when he leaves for work, and I think I’ve even caught you signing ‘please’!

Do you remember when I told you that Daddy blows you kisses every night before you go to sleep? Well, you have learned to do the same! I just realized that’s what you are doing when you stop nursing, smile dreamily up at me, bring your hand to your face, and then touch my lips. Your sweetness and innocence astound me, Amelia. This past year has been without a doubt the best year of my life. You have changed me in so many ways, and I like to think that I am a better person because of you. Thank you for making me a mother.

Love, Mama