It is so unbelievable that you are already one! This past year has gone by so incredibly fast. You have turned our lives upside down, but in a wonderful way. You bring us so much happiness, you have enriched our lives, and we can't imagine life without you.Everyone warned us that life with a baby goes by so much faster, and although we listened, I don't think anyone fully understands until they become a parent. I think back to last fall when I was home with you during the week and smile. I'd love to be able to stay home with you again but work is work and it makes me treasure my weekends with you.
The weekend before your birthday, we had a small pool party to celebrate your big day. Minnie Mouse was the theme and red and white polka dots decorated our house. The gifts our friends brought are being donated to the Vannie Cook Cancer Foundation where local kids in our area go for their chemotherapy. We want you to learn from an early age the importance of giving back to the community, giving to those less fortunate, and to develop compassion for those who are sick.
You aren't walking independent yet. But that doesn't stop you from getting around. Chairs, step stools, tables...anything you can push with you hands enables you to walk to your destination. You are cruising around the furniture and walls faster and we have seen you stand independent for a few seconds. You received a push-toy walker from a friend and your face lit up with a huge smile the first time you walked with it. You think you are pretty hot stuff walking around the house. I'm okay with the not walking yet as you have become so fast and efficient with crawling on your hands and knees. Last month we switched you from your infant carrier car seat to a larger car seat. We drove around the neighborhood with you facing forward and you squeled with delight. However, you will continue facing backwards until you reach the 20 pound requirement. Despite you becoming so much more active during the day, sleep still isn't important to you. Naps continue to be 20-60 minutes in length and sleep at night between 9-10 hours with waking every 2-4 hours. You continue to babble 'ba ba ba' with 'ya ya ya' also thrown in the mix. You are pointing to everything! Well, pointing with your palm. We are trying to name everything for you, thinking that you are learning names of things. You aren't yet calling us by mama or dada. You are understanding so much these days, when we call your name and tell you to 'come here', you quickly crawl over to us. You already test us and your boundaries, you laugh or smile when we tell you no. Yet, you do understand 'no' and sometimes you begin crying as though your feelings got hurt. New foods this month include corn, grilled red and orange peppers, and yogurt, and birthday cake. I'm sure we have introduced more but those are what I wrote down. Aside from your hospitalization at 6 weeks old and 2 rounds of strep throat, you have been a very healthy baby. I am so happy that you have escaped your first year without an ear infection because your daddy has quite the history of those from when he was younger.At one year old, your favorites are blueberries and cheese, Mickey Mouse, interacting with your dogs, and you love going for walks in your stroller. You have developed a few nicknames over the past year: Ellie Mae, Elli-belly, Elle, and of couse Elli.
We did it! We made it to the one year mark of breast feeding! This was my goal and if the road hadn't been so challenging, I don't think we'd even be mentioning it. Due to our various struggles, this achievement is bittersweet. I love the bonding and closeness it has given us and I anticipate weaning will be hard on both of us. However, there is a 1/2 marathon in our future and your daddy and I are eager to begin training for the race, with you in your stroller, babbling away while we run.
Official stats at 12 months old: Weight - 19 pounds, Height - 28.5 inches, Head circumference - 18 inches. You are wearing size 9 month clothes, size 4 diapers, and size 4 shoes. Your hair is thickening nicely and slowly starting to grow in length. Your eyes have stayed blue and you have 2 new teeth (one on the top left and one on bottom right) for 7 teeth total.
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| 39 weeks pregnant, on our way to the hospital |
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| 1 year old! |
Oh, Miss Ellianna...this past year has been one of the happiest, most rewarding, and challenging. We have learned so much along this journey with you and continue to work hard to be the best parents we can be for you. As much as I miss your 'baby' days, I love your emerging personality and I can't wait to watch you continue to grow and amaze us. We love you so very much and look forward to all the fun memories ahead.
