Summer is 12 months!

Dear Summer,

Today you are 1 year old. I don't know where the time has gone, but I've enjoyed every moment I've had with you. You are a very sweet, vocal, outgoing baby girl. If this past year defines the life I will have with you, it's going to be a fun journey!

You are into everything, especially Jada dogs water/food. I'm not sure how many times each day I catch you racing to get to her water dish to get your hands in it before I grab you up.

You are trying hard to walk, and multiple times you have taken 6 or seven steps before you plop down. Mostly you take 3 or 4 steps. It's not going to be long before you are running around everywhere.

You still only have 4 teeth but two more have just barely started to pop through in the last couple of days. This time, you haven't been too crabby while they are coming in, which I am so grateful for!

Showing off your big teeth and your "cheese ball" face!

Sleep is going pretty well. Lately you have been getting up twice each night. But you go to bed about 8:30 and sleep until 1:30 then you nurse and go back to sleep until around 4-5, nurse and back to bed until about 7-8. It's nice. I don't feel like a Zombie as much either, so it's a plus! Sharing a room with Tyler has been nice, but I look forward to you having you own room, maybe this time next year.

A while back you said, Mama, Dada, Bubba, hi, but then talking sort of went on a back burner and it didn't really go any further until this past month. You are talking like crazy, saying all of the above and more. You love waving bye-bye, blowing kisses, and giving real (open mouth) kisses. If I ask a question, you will nod your head yes, and shake your head no as if you understand. (I think you do!)

You.Love.Food. Not baby food so much as regular people food. Your old favorites of peas, green beans and garden vegetable are getting pushed aside for (real) steamed cauliflower, broccoli, bread and any fruit you can get your hands on.

Breastfeeding is going strong. It's bitter sweet knowing that we are getting closer to being done. Knowing that I'll never have that (quite the same) bonding time with you. And as much as I've loved nursing you, I look forward to being done. I look forward to having myself back. But I'm going to let you wean yourself and we'll see how long that takes.

Playing some Patty cake!

Right now Summer, you are about 17 pounds. You are staying steady for the past few months and I'm once again interested in what the Dr will think about your weight/height when we go in. You are still wearing mainly 9 month clothes and most 12 month clothes are too big on you. Though they are getting better, and you feel like you are filling out, you are still a little string bean.

Summer Lucy Lou- You are an amazing little girl. I am so thankful every day to God for bringing you into my life. I remember the day when I said I wouldn't know what to do with a girl if I had one. Now, I wouldn't know what to do if I didn't have you. My eyes have been opened up to the world of pink, baby dolls, and all things girlie. We love you so much sweet girl!