dear maren

Dear Mare-Mare,

Happy birthday two weeks late!

You are the most fantastic one year old. I love babies, and I loved having a baby for a year, but especially because that baby was YOU. You are so very easy to love. From day one, I just loved you with all I had. I found that the best part about having baby #2 was already knowing the love that would come and just being able to jump right into it.

At one year:

• You have taken a very shaky step or two, but you aren't walking yet. This is fine, because you are a highly proficient crawler. You've been crawling since you were 8 months, and you also have a finely developed bear crawl.
• You have an a.mazing smile. You have these sweet cheeks that are so heavy they almost droop down and six adorable little teeth.
• You have been a napping champ practically from day one, but you just started sleeping through the night about a month ago (thanks to your magic amber necklace - ha!).
• You make a lot of sounds, but Mama is your only consistent, identifiable word - and I love it.
• You are strong and agile. You can throw a ball like a superstar and make this tennis player grunt sound when you do so.
• You love your sister and your dad and just like to hang out and be included.
• You are a decent eater. You love fruit, pasta, and mama's milk; and are having a little trouble switching over to cow's milk. You'll get there.
• You like the pacifier and your baby doll.
• You crawl around and throw clothes over your back and head. Another future clothes-obsessed girl?
• You are tall (30.25 in - 98%) and lean (22 lb - 80%).
• You are a mover and a dancer and a climber and a happy little soul.

We have a special bond, you and I. You look for me everywhere, and I look for you too. You watch me and give me the biggest smile when you find me looking for you too.

You have brought all of us joy upon joy this year and we cannot wait for every next milestone.

With so much love,

Mom