Twelve months

 Well baby girl.  We did it.  We made it a whole year.  All at the same time I am heartbroken that your baby days are over and giddy about seeing this little girl you keep becoming.  And your personality is not something you are keeping to yourself.  As the lady who sits in front of us on Sundays so lovingly said this past week, you my dear, are a live wire.

So what's happened in this last month of your first year?  You got your ears pierced.

 

(you did fantastic during the process, only crying for a minute.  But the 3x daily cleaning?  Torture.)

You've gone swimming for the first time.

You've discovered the joy of opening things (drawers, bags, cabinets) and pulling all the contents out.

The morning of that picture you discovered my bottom dresser drawer and were attempting to put a pair of yoga pants on your head.  It was the cutest thing.  Then again, I am your mother and most of the things you do are just adorable to me.  And now that I think about it, you are in to just about everything.  And I mean everything.  You have so much more personality than your brother did at this age.  (Lest you be fooled, he more than makes up for it now.)  You smile and babble up a storm, wave and blow kisses, play peek a boo, and chase Brother all over the house.  The sassy-ness has not abated, your vocal cords and furrowing brows and flappy hands tell the world all it needs to know.  Luke doesn't stand a chance. 

You aren't walking yet, but you cruise with the best of them, and will occassionally stand isolated for a couple of seconds before you realize what is going on and sit down.  You crawl with one knee and one foot, almost like a monkey.  It serves you well, you get around quicker than I like most times.

Evan, you wear size 12 to 18 month clothes and a size 4 diaper.  You eat just about anything put in front of you (all I've ever seen you turn down is colby jack cheese and hot dog) and you eat LOTS of it.  Lots.  As in, more than Luke most days.  My estimate is you are around 26 lbs, but I haven't weighed you in awhile and your well check isn't for another week.  We nurse in the morning and before you go to bed, but during the day you get whole milk and water.  I can't believe we made it the whole year nursing!  I didn't have any lofty goals- just not to buy formula for as long as possible- and not only did I NOT buy formula AT ALL, but I ended up loving nursing.  With as busy as you are, it is the only time you let me hold you.  Only. Time.  You still have just two teeth on the bottom, but the top middle left one has broken through, and I can see all three of the other top front teeth working their way in.  It's made for some fun times.

Anyway, I know we still have years and years together, but there is just something so bittersweet about this mile stone.  I have loved having you as my baby.  You were the best baby.  I am so glad I got to end my baby  time with you on such a good note.  Seeing your face each day brings me such joy.   I love more than you will ever know missy lou.  There is not a single thing you could ever do or say that would change that.  Ever.  I  pray  that you grow up to be a strong woman who loves Christ with all you have.  I pray that you learn from my mistakes and aren't crushed by the ones you will inevitably make yourself.  I hope you know that my ears will always be ready to listen, my arms ready to hold, my eyes trained on you with joy.

 

 This momma is yours forever and ever.