one!?!?!

Oh, sweet, Rebecca, where has this last year gone?  They say time flies when you're having fun....and that's just what this past year of fun with you has done.  I can't believe that just a year ago I was still dying to meet you.  Now I can't imagine our lives without you! 

One year ago today.....

The first thing people notice about you (after your pretty blue eyes, like Daddy's!) is your infectious smile.  You are nearly always smiling--Joy was certainly the perfect middle name for you, since you're full of it!!! 

Here are things I've noticed about you in the last couple of months, as you're developing your own little personality:

*Like I said, you are full of joy.  You love to clap, smile, squeal, wave, and shake your hands with glee.  Your whole body wiggles with excitement. 

*You're a mama's girl, and when you're fussy you only want me, but you definitely LOVE your Daddy.  When he comes down in the morning and comes home from work you are all smiles and babbles for him. 

*You are one persistent little girl!  When you want something, you go for it (over and over and over!).  Usually it's a computer cord, or something else you're not supposed to have, so you get thwarted, but it doesn't deter you from trying again (and again and again).  I've pulled you out of more tight places than I care to remember--you're constantly trying to finagle your way into someplace we've blocked or somewhere that is off limits.  Anytime you can escape up the stairs, you do.  Anytime you can make a bee line for your sister's room (where there are many off-limit toys), you're off.  You pull everything down on top of you, you fall down constantly, and are turning into a little dare devil.  Once you start walking, I'm sure we'll really have our work cut out for us!  Here's an example....I was trying to take your picture in the chair for your birthday, and you wouldn't sit still.  You eventually crawled down out of the chair and moved on to something else!

*You love food!  I can't tell you how many times Daddy and I have referenced the old Life Cereal commercial about, "Hey, ask Mikey, he'll eat anything!" when we're having you try something new.  No matter what it is, you eat it and beg for more (well, except for chicken....the other day you started taking chicken out of your mouth and handing it back to me!).  We can't keep your high chair tray full enough when you're eating--you buzz through whatever we give you and sign for more.  Finally, someone in the family who appreciates my cooking!  :)

*You've got a sense of humor.  You love playing peekaboo, and whenever you have any sort of cloth in your hands, you bring it up to cover your face and want us to play along.  You copy what we do and make everything into a game.  Your newest game is showing us your tongue.  "Rebecca, where's your tongue?" we ask.  And this is your response:

*You adore your big sister.  Rachel loves playing hide and seek with you.  Of course, she's always the one hiding and you're always the one finding, but you both love it!  Daddy and I get tired of all of the squeals that ensue whenever one of these games take place (squeals from both of you!), but it's so fun to watch you playing together and enjoying each other.  Whenever you hear Rachel's voice in another room, you start "talking" loudly, trying to get her attention.  If she doesn't come, then you go in search for her.  If you start fussing in the car, all it takes is one grin and word from her, and you're all smiles again!

*You're just as sweet as they come.  You love giving kisses (especially on my arms, now that I am wearing short sleeves, which I can't really understand!) and snuggling with me.  Sometimes I hate laying you down at night, because I just love your head on my shoulder or your hand on my cheek. 

This year has been both challenging and full of joy, but mostly just lots of fun.  This second time around with a baby I've been much more aware of how fast the time goes, and tried very hard to savor every minute of your infancy.   I haven't wished the days or months away like I sometimes did with your sister, waiting for the next milestone.  In some ways, I dread the milestones, because each time you reach one, we're one step closer to you not being a baby anymore!  But it's also so fun to watch you learn and grow and change and try new things--just don't do it quite so fast, okay????

You're still not walking, but it won't be long.  You push your walker or the little grocery cart around with such an excited look on your face.  You've stood a few seconds here and there on your own.  But I'm content to let you crawl for as long as you want to.  Once you start walking, I'll be running after you even more than I am now, so I'm in no rush!

Happy first birthday, sweet girl.  Daddy, your sister, and I love you SO much, and are so thankful that you're a part of our family.

Love,
Mommy