One

Dear Elise,

Today you turned 1! Here is what you are up to:

•You weighed 19lbs. 1 oz. when you were at the Dr.'s office (you have had a cold for a while now!) two weeks ago. You'll have your official 1 year checkup next week.

•You are still taking a morning and bedtime bottle, but use a cup the rest of the time. We'll look to cut out the bottle completely in the next month. You would eat chicken and liver mush every day, at every meal, if we would let you. Your other favorite foods are green beans, peas, carrots, and bananas.

•You sleep through most nights and still nap twice a day. I am not looking forward to transitioning to 1 nap, but we will be working on that soon as well.

•You are just about to bust out of size 2 diapers into size 3.

•You are in size 12 months clothing and were lucky enough to receive a whole winter wardrobe (30 outfits!) for your birthday. Your friends and family love dressing you!

•You got your 1st pair of big girl shoes this month...you are not a fan...but you did like the full length mirror in the store.

•You can say Mama, Dada, dog, ball, up, hey, hi, bye, and thank you.

•You blow kisses and give kisses with a big "muah" sound, it is adorable.

•You are friendly to everyone and know no strangers. You love church, as there is no shortage of people to hold you there

•You finally enjoy a bath, your favorite is making bubble beards.

•You still have only 2 teeth...

•You enjoyed cake and doughnuts for your birthday and love them both!

•You got your ears pierced yesterday and it looks precious.

Being your Mommy for the past 365 days has been my greatest joy and I can't remember life before you. I want to freeze time and keep you this small, and yet I know that there is so much still to come for you and we have to move forward to experience it ...I'm so excited that we will do it all together. I love you so much, my sweet baby girl. Happy 1st Birthday!

Mommy (and Daddy!)