Happy 1st Birthday Grace!

Dearest Gracie,

What an amazing year it has been - I just can't believe our little girl is already one year old. At your one-year appointment today you weighed in at 19 lbs 1 oz - the 20th percentile. You're 29 inches tall - 50th percentile. We had a great little birthday party for you this past weekend with grandparents, aunts and uncles, and all the other special people who make a difference in your life in attendance (even if it was via skype!). So, sweet Grace, here's a record of you..



Mornings we usually find you standing up in your crib jumping right around 6:30. You don't always want to come out right away but would rather jump and fall down being silly or playing with your stuffed animals. As soon as you see your sippy cup though, you usually get anxious to officially get the day going. Once you're up and out, your primary interest is getting into Olivia's room. There, while mommy fights to get you both dressed, you're busy trying to put on Olivia's panties, pulling all the books off the shelf, and squirming non-stop when I do capture you. For breakfast your favorites are bananas, clementines, and toast. We need to work on adding a little variety. We head out the door for Kristina's at about 7:30, and you're a lot better than your sissy at sitting nicely and not protesting in your car seat! You like day care, love Kristina, are nice to the little baby who started there a month ago, and do your best to keep up with all the toddlers. You still take a morning nap, and I hope this continues until the summer.



Afternoons find you very happy to see mommy, crawling over and up into my lap as fast as you can. Usually you're pretty attached to mommy when we get home liking to be carried around. This can make things challenging at times, but you're doing better now that the teeth have slowed down a little - you have 4 molars all partially through, 4 teeth on top, and 3 teeth on the bottom with another just peaking through.


Some of your favorite things to eat are fruit of any kind, peas, corn, cheese, and noodles. You're not really interested in meat right now, but have indicated signs of a sweet tooth. You've mastered the sippy cup although sometimes still put too much in your mouth and then let it dribble out. It's hard to tell if you're right or left handed yet. You do a nice job with the "all done" sign, but otherwise indicate you're finished by throwing your food on the floor.


Many things make you smile and laugh. Some of your favorite activities are playing chase and peek-a-boo, chasing your sissy around the house, taking baths, rolling the ball, and squirming incessantly when it's time to change your diaper. You also enjoy playing in your little kitchen, "reading," knocking blocks over, dumping anything possible, jumping on the couch, jumping/falling onto the pillows from the stairs (with much supervision of course), and having dance parties - your best moves are your leg shake and arm/torso twist! Your sissy makes you laugh a lot too but also makes you mad. You don't hesitate to scream if she takes something from you, and I've learned that despite your petite nature you've got quite the grip. You seem to forgive and forget though, and I'm especially excited to watch your relationship grow this summer as you girls play outside.


These days you're busy working on standing on your own and even taking a few steps. You love climbing on the stairs and make a game out of climbing up a couple of steps and waiting for me or daddy to come get you while you laugh like crazy. You get wild and silly often - usually with Olivia's encouragement - and trust that your mommy and daddy with always catch you as you dive around and off of whatever. You have a fantastic little giggle. Your favorite words are dada, mama, and whatsat (what's that). You're really starting to jabber a lot and seem to understand some basic concepts including the word "no."


You love to take baths before bedtime but unfortunately this is one of your favorite places to practice standing. If I'm being slow in getting your clothes off, you will attempt to tip yourself into the tub. You've figured out how to turn the cold water on, and once in the tub, you like to crowd Olivia by scooting down near the faucet to try to play in the water as the tub is filling. You love making big splashes and sucking on wash clothes (gross, I know). Getting pjs on is not always the most peaceful process, but eventually you settle down sucking on your two fingers while I finish getting you dressed.


Bedtime is right at 7:00, and if it gets much later you tend to get a little cranky. You seem to enjoy having me sing to you as you drink your bottle (currently the only one of the day). Soon we'll switch to a sippy cup and some bedtime books to go with it. Sometimes you like to cuddle and fall asleep on my shoulder, but most often you just want to be put in your crib. There you belly scoot yourself into the corner where your head touches the bumper pad and scrunch your legs underneath you. You seem to be enjoying your silky, but don't seem as nearly attached to it as your sister. When I check on you at night, you're usually lying on your tummy or side wrapped up in your blankets. Thankfully, you don't do your finger-sucking during the night - not often at least. We don't need two girls with teeth issues! :)


Overall, you're probably one of the happiest little girls I know. You are quick to smile and flirt but just as quick to cuddle into mommy's shoulder playing shy. You seem to enjoy being the life of the party and have an impressive fake laugh that is usually coupled with a little eye squint and nose crunch. You're such a sweetie Gracie girl and we love you so much!