Natalie is ONE!!

*Photo credit to Rachel Brock*

Natalie, I've been holding off on writing this post because I just can't believe you are one year old already! ONE! It's true what they say, time has wings. And the older I get, the faster it flies away from me.

This last year has been quite a whirlwind with you, sweet girl! We've had so much fun! I want to stop and hold you close and drink you in and remember these moments. They are precious, and they don't last long.

You are starting to change from my tiny baby into your own little person, and it's amazing to watch! At your one year checkup you weighed just under 17.5 pounds and measured 28.5 inches tall. You're a skinny little thing. Because you can't drink milk due to an allergy, you aren't gaining as much weight as we would like. So per your doctor we are trying to fatten you up with bread and carbs (which you love) and avocado (which you hate). Mealtime is always interesting with you. You'll eat a few bites from your own plate, and then yell at me until I share what's on mine. You are definitely a stubborn girl, that's for sure!

You love: your mama, sucking your thumb, blocks, stuffed animals, books, spoons, your favorite purple blankie, trying to sneak into the bathroom when we aren't looking, and most of all your big sissy. You follow her everywhere! She's very patient with you and shares her toys (usually) and helps you learn. Watching you two together just melts my mama heart. You especially adore your daddy and clap and squeal when he comes in the door from work. He's already your hero. (Again with the melting heart!)

You don't love: when mama puts you down, shoes on your feet, sleep (you don't sleep through the night, but feel free to change that anytime), anything too loud that startles you, and when mama puts you down. If you had your way I'd be carrying you all day long! Every once in a while you let your daddy have a turn, too. ;)

You aren't walking quite yet but you crawl and cruise all over the place. I think it won't be long before we will have to chase you as you run around the house. You bolt for the stairs every chance you get and can climb them like a pro already, and when you get to the top you want to turn around and do it again! Baby gates are our best friend right now.

You are chatting up a storm these days! You say "DAT!" and point at everything, all the time. You are so curious and want us to name everything you see. Some favorites are lights and light switches, the fridge, and pictures on the wall. There's a figurine that your daddy gave me that plays music when we wind it up, and you insist on having your daddy turn it on and dance with you at least twice a day. It's your favorite thing right now (and I think daddy loves it, too!) and so fun to watch you wiggle and dance to the music. Will you be a music girl like you sissy? I sure hope so.

You are silly, curious, stubborn, a little shy, awfully sweet, very snuggly, and so happy! You have your daddy's heart and your mama's attitude. We love watching you grow and change, and can't wait to see what the future holds for you! With your big sister as your guide (accomplice?) I know there's nothing you can't do. We love you so much, Nattie Roo! Now please, stop growing up already, would you? :)

Spokane trip and Emily’s first birthday party!

(I know it’s a long time ago now, but I still wanted to get this posted so we can remember it.)

A few weeks after Emily turned one, she and I drove to Spokane to visit her grandparents and Auntie Rachel and the boys for a few days. We got to go to the park and the beach, and had a great BBQ with Grandpa! We sewed with Grandma and got to spend lots of time relaxing and just hanging out. Rob joined us for a day or two and then we all drove home together.

Grandpa teaching Emily how to jump on the bed. (Thanks, Grandpa! Haha.)

What’s in this bag?

Poooooooooooony Boy with cousin Ryan!

One highlight of the week was Emily’s first birthday party! It wasn’t a huge affair, just cupcakes and ice cream, but we sure had fun! She didn’t care much for the cupcake though, but I can’t really say I’m disappointed in her lack of a sweet tooth at this point in her life. I’m sure she’ll get there soon enough!

 

 

 

 

   

Another big moment this week was a tough one for this Mama. Emily got her first haircut! It was a moment that really made me realize how big she’s getting and that they just don’t stay little very long. She looks so grown up now! Happy and sad at the same time. Sigh.

 

 

 

 

 

Paula, who cut her hair (and mine too!), has been a friend of our family’s for years and years. She used to cut my hair when I was little too, and she even did my hair for my wedding. Thanks, Paula, for everything! We love you! :)

Thank you Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Rachel and Uncle Zach, it was a wonderful weekend! Next trip over will be for the 4th of July and another great BBQ. I can’t wait!!

One Year Photos!

We had our family photos done for Emily’s first birthday by Jennifer Ecker Photography and I absolutely LOVE THEM! She did a great job! See for yourself!

 

 

 

We love you, big girl! Next up, first birthday party pictures, complete with cake and ice cream. Yum!

One.

One year old. One year filled with giggles, smiles, kisses, baby drool, sleepless nights, and more poop than I would have ever imagined. Also more love than I could ever have dreamed was possible! She changed our lives in every way. Full of sneaky smiles and mischief, she really makes it clear that we are no longer in charge around here.

One year ago today I became a mom. And as MY mom would say, I was the happiest mom in the world! I wrote the story of her birth in two parts, here and here, and thinking back on that day I wouldn’t change it at all because it brought our precious girl to us. We thank God every day for her!

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY TO OUR EMILY MARIE!!!

At One Year Old, Emily:

…weighs 18 lbs 2 oz and is 29 1/2 inches tall. She’s between 50 and 75% for height, but only 5% for weight. The doc says she’s very healthy and has no concerns, just tall and skinny!

…is almost walking on her own! She took three steps on my birthday (best present ever!) and will walk between the couch and coffee table if it’s not too far, but she hasn’t taken off and started walking all by herself quite yet. She stands up a lot but is very hesitant to walk without help. She gets braver every day though and we think she’ll be walking very soon!

…has started saying more words this month! Her very first “real” word was Dada, but she didn’t associate it with her dad for quite a while. Cracker was the first word she said that had a meaning attached, so we count that as her first word! She can also say Mama (FINALLY! Haha!), puppy, kitty, yucky, and probably a few others that I can’t think of at the moment.

…is a great eater! She loves to drink from her straw sippy cup and eats most everything we put in front of her now. She’s started refusing to eat from a spoon and wants to do it all herself, so we’ve had a few adventurous dinners lately! Her favorite foods are peas, toast, ham, and of course crackers.

…still, STILL doesn’t sleep through the night. She wakes up usually once to eat and sometimes two or three other times also. She’s usually pretty easy to put back to sleep, but it’s really hard on Mama! I’m hoping as her teeth come in she’ll be a better sleeper. The doc also mentioned that her eczema might make it hard to sleep, so hopefully we’ll get that under control soon too.

We’re getting professional family pictures done soon so for now we’ll take a look back at the past year. It went so fast!

One day old

One month

Two months

Three months

 

Four months

Five Months

Six months

Seven months

Eight months

Nine months

Ten months

Eleven months

Twelve months

Our tiny baby is turning into a little girl. She’s beautiful, silly, snuggly, and very smart! We love her very much! Happy first birthday, Punky Boo. You are loved more than you could ever know!!