Girl’s Life

We’re almost there, baby girl! One more month till the big day. You’ve lived almost a whole year. And really, that’s something to celebrate. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. We have a whole month of baby to go before we graduate you to the world of toddlerhood. And I’m only the smallest bit in denial.

This month has been a whirlwind of activity. You got to join us on your first big family vacation, which included all kinds of amazing things, like oceans and sunsets and tropical rain and…ice cream!

I have been so good about not giving you sweets until now. Partly because you’re too young to ask for it, so why start giving it to you? But mostly because I was waiting for your birthday so you could taste your first cake and be thrilled with this new thing - sugar - and the awesome treat it is. But then I started thinking about why letting you taste a little bit a month before your birthday wouldn’t be such a bad idea for two reasons. One, your grandmas watch you every week and spoil you like crazy. I am almost positive they have slipped you a little something when I wasn’t around. And I don’t even care anymore because that’s what grandmas are supposed to do, right? And two, I didn’t want your brain to explode from this sudden burst of sugar all at once on your big day. I figured we could ease into it a little. And you don’t seem to mind one bit. In fact, I would even venture to say you are a HUGE FAN of the stuff. Go figure. Momma’s girl, for sure.

Also, another reason I definitely know you are my daughter: you absolutely loved the beach and everything about it — the waves, the sand, the swimming. I was worried, as you seem to be scared of the strangest things. From the way you reacted the few times I’ve taken you in the kiddie pool, I thought the ocean would scare the crap out of you (or the fact that mommy watched “Shark Week” on Discovery Channel right before your first trip into the ocean). Not at all! In fact, you’re starting to not fear all the scary things as much anymore. Even the vaccuum is more tolerable now. Again, my baby is growing up.

And while we’re talking about you growing up. Can I just say that I’m enjoying every minute of it? Your laugh is just hilarious and makes me think you actually understand our humor sometimes. The way you tell us want you want totally floors me, too. In your own way, you definitely make it known what (and how) you like to be fed, what toys you want to play with, and what you want to talk about. (By the way, you talk — or rather, yammer — all day long in your very own made up language that only you — and I think the dog — understand. I love it!) And you’re using a few signs now, too. Amazing to see our hard work pay off.

I am starting to get sentimental about nursing, as I will stop pumping when you reach a year. I honestly can not wait to never pump again, but the nursing I will miss. I’m sure we will hold onto our nightly session for a little while longer.

I’d like to think you’re remembering all these cool new experiences and making wonderful lasting memories. But I know you’re still too little. What I do hope is that the amazing times we’ve had together as a family are helping you become who you are and are helping you figure out how you fit into this great world. You and your big flirty grin are doing just fine so far, baby girl. You’re doing just fine.

I love you.