I can't believe we're here already - that I'm sitting here writing your one year letter. I'm a few days late getting this letter finished though. Between your birthday party and Christmas, I've been a busy mama.
Your birthday party was the day after your actual birthday. We had a wonderful brunch celebration for you with family and a couple of friends. You chowed down on egg casserole, biscuits, and strawberries, but wanted nothing to do with any cake or sweets.
The last month has had its ups and downs. You had your first stomach flu. It was the saddest thing ever to see you sick, but you handled it so well. Today, at your well check, we discovered you have your first ear infection.
You have pretty much stopped eating purees other than occasionally some pears. You prefer solid foods now, and your very favorites are bread and cheese, not unlike your mama. You also love yogurt. You just recently (within the last week) decided you like eggs and bananas.
There was a time when you really didn't enjoy Daddy too much, but you absolutely adore him now. If you're not following me all around the house, you're following him and reaching your little arms for him to pick you up. You're becoming more of a Daddy's girl each day. It's the cutest thing ever.
You have a special bond with each of your brothers. You and Alden love to wrestle and chase each other around - you both giggle nonstop. But when you want a hug, you reach for Leland. Either way, I love how much you love your brothers and how much they adore you. It makes my heart so happy.
You are still very much a mama's girl. You throw a fit when I go downstairs without you, which makes laundry even more difficult than normal. Basically, I'm not allowed out of your sight. You nurse every three hours, sometimes sooner, but not usually much longer. This means that you still aren't sleeping through the night, which is nothing I haven't experienced with your brothers. I know you will eventually, so right now I am trying to soak up that time with just us in the middle of the night.
You love bath time, but hate getting dressed and having your diaper changed. You like to play peek-a-boo by covering your face with a blanket. You also like to put random articles of clothing over your head, like you're trying to put them on. Usually, it's (clean) underwear from the laundry basket, but you also do it with socks, shirts, and pajama pants. If it doesn't sit on your head, you wear it around your neck. You are so silly.
You don't say any words quite yet, at least not on purpose. You will mimic us when we say mama or dada, but they don't have a lot of meaning for you yet. You have started nodding and shaking your head for yes and no, and it is the cutest thing ever.
At your well check today, you weighed 21 lb, 10.8oz (76th percentile) and measured 30 inches long (78th percentile). You are currently wearing 18-24 month clothes and still in size 4 diapers.
I can't believe you are a year old. I know you're walking and acting all toddler-like, but in my heart, you're still my itty bitty baby. And, really, you always will be. No matter how big you get, you're my littlest, my baby. You are so special, Livvy Jo. Such a gift to me and to all who meet you.
We love you so much, sweet girl. Happy 1st Birthday!
Love,
Mama
