Pemberley | Twelve months

Hi little one,
One year. 365 days. 12 months. My little girl is now a toddler, and I want to cry.

At 12 months, you...

-weigh 19.6 pounds

-are 30 1/2 inches long

-have a head circumference of 18 inches

-wear size 4 diapers

-are in size 12 month clothes

-have 8 teeth!!!!

-are sleeping 12-13 hour stretches in your crib through the night

-are so close to walking on your own, and love it when Daddy and I hold your fingers while you practice

-say words like mama, dada, and up

-shake your head "no" when you don't want to do something

-crawl over to the high chair to let us know you're hungry

-know how to pet the dogs and cats gently (when they let you come near them)

-are quite the little eating machine...if it's in front of you, it's eaten (yep, even Brussels sprouts!)

-have the most gorgeous blue eyes I've ever seen!

Daddy and I were looking through some of your old baby pictures tonight. I legitimately almost cried because you're just so...big! Not in size, but like, you're growing up! You're even losing your baby fat and little leg rolls, which I was hoping you'd keep forever :( I know I'm going to blink and you'll be driving off to the mall with your little sister, or on your way to prom, or college. (Okay, maybe I'm getting a little ahead of myself. But when I think about how much you've changed in just the past year, it's enough to make me reach for the Kleenex box.)

Your Daddy and I love you SO much, Pemberley. We never dreamed we would be this lucky. You really are the most perfect little girl. I am so thrilled to watch you grow into your own, and to watch you take on your new role as a big sister early next year. You're so sweet; Daddy and I know you're going to do a great job teaching little sister all of the ways of the world (or maybe just how to sit up, or roll over. Or shovel 20 Cheerios into her mouth at the same time.)

I love you, sweet baby toddler girl. (And cue the mommy tears. Now where did that Kleenex box go?!)

First birthday party

Hi little one,
Your FIRST BIRTHDAY! Where did my little baby go, and how did I get this lucky to have such a beautiful, smart TODDLER?? It's incredibly bittersweet to see you growing up so fast, Pemberley. I want to cry when I think about how I cradled you as an almost 9 pound newborn who could barely lift her head, and now I want to bawl when I think about the fact that you're almost 20 pounds and thisclose to walking. I miss the days that I had to hold a bottle for you, and find myself near tears when I watch you pick up and drink from a cup when you're thirsty. People always warned me  that you'd grow up in the blink of an eye and I never knew what they meant until now.

You're such a joy. I can't express how easy you've made being a mommy. You have an infectious smile, nose crinkle, and giggle, and you are the most chill baby I've ever met. Watching you grow, learn new things, and master new skills has really opened my eyes as to what being a parent is all about. I found myself so excited about your littlest victories...watching you hold your head up, sit independently, crawl, pick up and eat your food (or throw it on the ground if you don't like it!). They're all things that I do automatically, and to see you concentrate and try so hard is really the neatest thing, not to mention the big smiles we get when you master one skill and move on to the next!

Here's your first birthday party, in celebration of the past year. I was SO happy with how it turned out! Your daddy and I (and sometimes my students at school, too!) put a lot of hard work and effort into making it special for you. I know you won't remember it, but I hope that when you look back on these pictures, you see how excited we were to celebrate your birthday.

The theme was Pancakes and Pajamas, and I scoured Pinterest for months trying to get ideas. My favorites were the cereal box party favors, the tulle Christmas lights that we strung across the mantle, and the table decorating. They all couldn't have turned out any better! We also did a mimosa bar, a coffee bar with a bunch of different creamers, and a milk and juice bar, all in the kitchen.

As you an see, you had a BLAST!!! It was so fun to watch you ham it up for your grandparents with your cute little nose crinkle, and I know they just loved spoiling you rotten with presents! All of the sleepless nights leading up to your party were well worth it whenever I saw you smile (and shovel pancakes into your mouth!). Now I can't WAIT for your next birthday party!!!
With so much love,

First birthday smash cake

Hi little one,
We just got the proofs of your smash cake photo session, and we couldn't be happier with how they turned out! Jo Snaps did a phenomenal job capturing your happy, spunky spirit just in time for your first birthday. I hope you enjoy these some day as much as I do! (And yes...I'm going to be that mom and share a million pictures in this post! Just know that I was given over 100 pictures, and I narrowed it down to 21 :: not an easy task!)

Aren't they just PERFECT! Ahhhh...I'm so totally in love with being your mommy! Here's to a wonderful first birthday, my sweet little girl!
Love, love, love,