One

(Waiting for the shrimp to show up. Sorry-in the 1st video I'm nauseous thinking about the IV in my arm and the upcoming "slice." The name I wanted was Finn at the time. And the 2nd one, I apologize if I'm too scandalous for you, but c'mon, it's the 1st time meeting my baby!)

Somehow you turned one. Somehow you've been in our lives for an entire year.  And it makes me think about the months before you came and our excitement at the thought of you. You started out so small, perfectly bite-size and sweet as sugar. I will always remember the first time I saw you. You make me smile. You make everyone around you smile. You make impatient people in line behind us at the grocery store smile. They can't help themselves. You are a little charmer.

You are fantastic at scaring us and making us worried. From my pregnancy with you, to the surgery on your tummy, to standing on the stairs holding the railing & acting like you're going to step down with an eyebrow raised, a silly smile on your face, and mischief & teasing in your eyes. You have it down. You LOVE a good response. But you're also getting really good at listening.

Your tongue is like a permanent part of your face now. Pink & pointy & always sticking out of your mouth.  You smack your lips and jabber about. You tip your head back for your BIG smile and show all seven of your sparkly sharp teeth.

You love water. Splashing is the best. The pool is heaven. You cry when you have to get out of the bath.

You walk with us to school in the morning. Brooklyn and her friends take you on walks, with you in your little stroller and a babydoll in theirs. You love walks.

You think Brandt is hilarious. You love Brandt & Brooklyn. You will crawl to the edge of the stairs and "shout" for them. You love them to carry you around and play with you in the car. You stand on the couch and shout out the window to them when they play in the yard with their friends. You look around for Daddy in the evenings, anticipating a good tickle or to fly up high in the air. You crawl away from daddy happy and covered in scruff marks from his kisses. And he can make you laugh like crazy.

You play peek-a-boo, beg, clap, wave, and pat me on the back when you're tired. That's my favorite. You are afraid of the animal toys at Grandma MaryAnn's and you used to be terrified of daddy when he did a monkey noise. But now you are brave. You say mama and dada but we don't know that you mean them quite yet. You collapse on your soft blanket when you're tired and slam yourself to the floor when you see a bottle headed your way.

You get ready with me and dig through my bag while you wait for me to be done. You make faces & have conversations with yourself in the mirror and love to have the hair dryer blow your hair around too. You love to have your nails clipped and hold SUPER still to have your ears cleaned.

You tried orange juice for the first time yesterday and fell in love. Every time you do something for the first time we all get crazy excited for you.

I love to be with you. I love to be someone you love. I love that when you are sad, I am the one you want to fix it.  I love your smiley face when I come to get you after naptime or in the morning. I love your blonde blonde hair that came from who knows where. 

I'm really glad that you seem content to just be moving along at your own little pace, not in a hurry to grow up. I treasure you so much. I snuggle you and read you stories and say "love you Bray Bray" when I lay you down at night. I know that you are going to grow up quick just like my other lovies are. They're both in school all day now and we have a lot of just me & you time. And it's really quiet. It makes me realize just how much I love to be with my children. Last night we watched Tangled together. Daddy left on a fishing trip and we did the rebellious thing & stayed up late. Brooklyn ended up snuggled on my lap an Brandt was tucked into my side holding onto my arm & we giggled about the funny horse together. And you wandered the room, standing next to the couch, pounding it with your hands and letting out random yells and smiling. My heart practically stops at the thought of ever losing you. You are our sunshine.  And I love having you in my life.