Happy Birthday!

Dear Ingrid,

It's your birthday! Today you are one year old. I cannot believe that you have already been in this world for a whole year, 365 days. Yet it seems like you've always been with me. My life really seems to have started this past year. You have given me more joy and heart swelling emotion than I could have ever dreamed. These past five weeks that I have gotten to stay home with you have been the best prize. You have become quite the mama's girl. You repeat my name about 10 dozen times a day. Just because you can and you know I'm going to be right there by your side. You have become very cautious and careful in whatever you do. You like for mommy to be right there holding your hand. You can walk from object to object, but your main form of transportation is still crawling. You are getting very steady on your feet and only need to hold onto my finger when you are walking around. I think it's mostly for reassurance. You spend a lot of your day reading books. You get book after book and bring it to me to read, calling out "book-book" over and over. You always climb into my lap and snuggle in for a good read. Some of your favorites this past month have been Kiss Kiss, We Love Play School (which is so special to Mama because I got it as a 1 year birthday present from my Mammaw and Pappaw!), Elmo's Colors, and The Best Nest.   You still love to talk. You are saying so many words I can't keep up with all of them. You always ask for your "juice" which is actually milk. You call anything in your sippy cup juice! I just go ahead and let you because you always associated milk with your baba and we don't do those anymore because you're so big. Being outside is one of your favorite things. You could swing for hours and hours. Ingrid, you are such a great eater. I don't think there's a single thing I have offered you to eat that you haven't liked. You eat mostly with your fingers but I still give you some baby food too. You love diced carrots, peas, green beans, corn, brown beans, eggs, any kind of bread, cheese, bananas, watermelon, cheerios, and every kind of puff imaginable. You are such a good natured baby. You are always in a good mood and ready to play. You sleep like a dream. I lay you down in your bed with your paci and two night-nights, turn on your music, and you are usually asleep within minutes. You do this for morning nap, afternoon nap, and nighttime. I miss rocking you, but I guess you can fall asleep more easily and comfortably on your own. Mommy will be thankful for that when your little sister gets here. I get so emotional thinking about how quickly this year has passed. I want to soak up every moment with you and not miss out on a single thing. I'm afraid I will blink and you will be two. You have grown and changed so much this year and it has been such an adventure. I'm so thankful God chose me to be your mom. You are my pride and joy and I love you deep and wide.

Love,
Mommy