12 Month Letter

My sweet love,

What an unbelievable 12 months it has been. You are SO much fun. I cannot wait to see what comes with this next year. I can already see you shedding your baby ways and barreling head first into being a toddler. You know what you want and are not afraid to demand ask for it. You reach when you want us to pick you up. (and cry when we don't) You point when you want something. (And cry when you can't have it.) You've mastered the tears, both real and fake, and we laugh often because you are just funny. I know that sounds awful, but you turn it off as fast as you turn it on. You've figured us out. You know we are wrapped around your finger and just how to push our buttons. Obviously we have some work to do on the concept of no.

You are really starting to sleep well and can even self soothe in the middle of the night. I know it's thanks to your tubes. I love coming into you room in the morning. You are almost always kneeling and talking with your little arms reaching out for me. Your entire face lights up when you see me. It takes my breath away.

You are still my girl through and through. Sometimes it's hard, but I know these days are fleeting. I love that at the end of the day, you have missed me just as much as I've missed you. You have this way of lifting you legs and planting yourself on my chest, like a little jockey. It won't be long until daddy needs to get you a pony!

You are such a mimic. You love to copy everything we do. Last week we played tea party with your new tea set. You watched and watched. A few hours later you crawled over to the tea set, poured, and made the same smacking noises we did when you pretended to drink. Hilarious. You crack up when we mimic you too.

You are still a tall girl (79%) with a big noggin (97%) for all your brains. You haven't gained any weight since your 9 month checkup, so you've dropped into the 64%. You are still a nommy little girl though.

You say dada, mama, TAT (cat) DOP (everything you want) and we swear you've said nack (snack) and milk. You love to click, blow raspberries and make the same sounds we do when we pretend to eat or drink your food. You've started babbling again so much since you got tubes. I love it!

How has this year been so fast? In some ways I feel like you were a newborn just a few moments ago. Then I think of all of the things we have done and ways you have changed, and it feel like it's always been this way. Us. The greatest change I've seen is in my heart little miss. I dream bigger, laugh longer and love so much deeper than I ever thought possible. Thank you Eliza. You healed my heart and soul. You are my world.

I love you so, Sweet Liza Jo.