Dear Dr. Brown

Dear Dr. Brown,

Although we have never met in person, we are ever-grateful for you and your bottles.  Your glass bottles made it through a year of feeding, bumping, washing and yes, dropping.  We love your bottles. 

Last night, we officially said goodbye to you.  It seemed that Momma had a harder time with this transition than the growing babe did.  Thank you for a year of soothing and nourshing.  You were the only one that stopped gas problems and made bottle feeding pleasant for our little babe. 

It is bittersweet to clean your bottles for the last time.  Yes, they have many parts, but we have grown quite attached at the sink together (yes, I hand wash).  Washing has become quite relaxing--a mundane act that allows the mind to drift. 

With the departure of your bottles, comes the finale of babyhood.  Oh, I don't know how the time passed so quick.  It is exciting to travel ahead to all the wonderful toddler stages but sad to leave sweet babyhood behind.  Time is a funny thing when children are concerned. I will miss holding my little babe in my arms while she relaxes and enjoys drinking.

Thank you again, Dr. Brown.  The babe is not a great sippy cup drinker (often spewing milk out all over) but we are going to give your sippies a try.  Right now, our best bet is an open-faced cup with lots of parent supervision. 

With sincerest thanks for your most-fabulous bottles,
The babe and her grateful parents

12 months

Today marks 12 months since you were born.  These past 12 months have passed entirely too quick.  All the sweet baby stages have come and gone in a whirlwind of diaper changes, bottles, play-dates, naps, eating, playing, and watching your big sister's every move.  As we embark upon the toddler years ahead, we look forward to every sweet minute with you.  You have been a delight and an ever-happy presence in our lives.  We love you dearly!

Birth: We were amazed at your long and slender body.  The doctor even commented on your legs, calling them "long and skinny chicken legs."  We called you our "yoga baby" because you rarely cried and seemed to be at peace with everything.  You were even a great sleeper in the hospital--going 4 hours between feedings.  We were in awe of this sweet and happy baby we had been blessed with.

Month 1: We were delighted when you smiled at us while soaking in your baby tub.  Your smile is jovial and radiant as it captures everyone around you.  We were worried when you got sick with a cold for the first time.  

Month 2: We were entertained at how you love to kick in the water at bath-time.  Your kicks splash water all over and seem as rhythmic as a little machine.

Month 3:  We were blessed to have you baptized in our church with all your family present to share in this joyful time.  We loved swaddling you in soft and breathable muslin swaddle blankets.  You still sleep with one in your crib.

Month 4:  We were captivated by your distinct big blue eyes which opened wide with your growing expressions and personality.  We were charmed by your coos, smiles and squeals as they increased in intensity and emotion.

Month 5:  We were nervous when we gave you rice cereal for the first time.  You gagged just terrible and scared Momma so many times.  After a couple days you got the hang of it.  We marveled at how much you watch your older sister.  We loved watching your sweet personality emerge with giggles and so many smiles.

Month 6:  We were terrified when you had RSV and were so sick for the entire month. We enjoyed holding you a lot this month.  We held you, slept with you, talked to you, sung to you, and stayed so close while your sweet little body healed.  Despite being sick, you began sitting up so straight and tall.  You were so proud of yourself.  We were proud of you too! 

Month 7:  We were thrilled to watch you, watch the snow for the first time.  I sat you in front of the large windows.  You were so entertained watching the large flakes fall from the cloudy grey sky.  We were slightly obsessed with germs and keeping them away from you.  Our big boy helped protect you a lot that month!

Month 8:  We were so excited to see you move across the living room floor...by yourself!  You began crawling with your right leg turned out.  Daddy called your crawl a gimp crawl but we still loved it!

Month 9:  We were happy your hair thickened enough to hold a little bow on the side.  I enjoy putting a little bow in your hair to keep it out of your eyes.  We were elated when you began sleeping soundly through the night.  You woke up so happy after having a full night's rest, we did too.  We were tickled pink to see you looking at books.  This month you preferred looking at books over playing with your toys.

Month 10:  We were overjoyed when you began to wave by holding up one arm (almost like a salute).  You have continued waving in this manner and you especially love to wave at your Daddy.  We were broken-hearted when you began crying anytime we left you.  We were in disbelief when you raised both hands and said "all-don" at the end of your meal.  We were relieved to see that you did have teeth in your mouth and they were beginning to break through.

Month 11:  We were concerned when you began climbing everything in your way.  We got rid of little chairs, little tables and all the little toys you could stand on to reach higher.  We were amazed at your limber body, strength and determination.

Month 12:  We are so proud of you!  You are the most wonderful gift.  You make so many people so happy with your contagious smile, wiry ways, witty personality and happy heart.  Happy Birthday sweet girl!

Birthday

Happy Birthday to our sweet and wonderfully-spirited little one.

Party Garland

For my baby's birthday, I found some super cute fabric garland online at a favorite children's store.  Of course, the garland was a bit pricey for a small family party so I decided to try to make some myself.  I found a cute pattern and directions at this fun blog.

This project required bias tape, fun coordinating fabrics (I used "fat quarters" and they worked perfect), pins, fabric pen, and a sewing machine.

After a little cutting,

sewing, turning and pressing,

pinning,

and sewing it all together, I ended up with some cute garland.

I hope to use it for many birthday celebrations to come.

It was a fun and easy project to accomplish for a novice and not-so-confident seamstress. 

Baseball

We watched from the rail as the celebration began.

We felt the intense patriotism of a birthday ballgame.

We enjoyed the company of our family and friends.

We were pampered by the accommodations.

She eagerly rode the escalator up to our level and happily watched the game.

She yelled "Go Rangers!" at any sign of a good play.

She noticed all the red, white and blue for a big birthday celebration.

She held her hands over her ears just in case the fireworks started early.

We assured her that the fireworks would not begin until dark.

She excitedly looked down at the field.

She attempted to climb up the rail.

She swayed back and forth as she heard the ballpark music play.

Her hair curled up behind her ears from the intense humidity.

Engrossed in the game, she continued to hold her hands over her ears, never forgetting the firework fear.

She enjoyed the bright colors and loud sounds.

She bounced on my lap, excited for more.

Her sister watched from inside, still frightened by the noise and holding her ears.