Month Twelve

Skylie,

This note is long overdue.

Last night I thought back to the times before you were born. How badly your dad and I wanted you. The excitement we felt when we learned we'd get to be your parents. Then I thought of the complete adoration I saw in your dad's eyes the first time he held you. You have brought us such joy. Thank you!

Before becoming a mother, I had rose-colored visions of what motherhood must be like. Those visions didn't include a wailing, inconsolable baby in the middle of the night, diaper blowouts, or meltdowns in the grocery store. I imagined I would always be patient and find complete satisfaction changing thousands of diapers, giving hundreds of baths, and scrubbing countless stains out of shirts. I didn't know how hard motherhood could be at times, but I also didn't understand the complete happiness you'd bring me.

I didn't know how my heart would melt when you squeeze your arms around my neck and cover me with kisses or when you reach to hold my hand while we walk. I never knew that the seemingly insignificant things you do would be so amusing to me. Like when you fell asleep with your head on my lap on our flight to Texas. When you point excitedly at a bird flying by. Or when you scamper up the stairs, pause, and look back to make sure I'm following.

No, motherhood is not quite like I imagined. It's better.

A few weeks ago we celebrated your birthday in Fort Worth, Texas. Your dad is traveling right now for his schooling, so we went to visit him for a while. Conveniently, your birthday landed during our visit. On your birthday we celebrated by spending lots of time at the swimming pool, eating out at Pappasito's, scarfing down a brownie and ice-cream, opening presents (baby doll and stroller), and seeing your Zane grandparents on Web cam.

On our drive from Texas to Iowa we taught you a new game.

"Where's Daddy?" Then you point at daddy.

"YAY!!!" Lots of clapping.

"Where's Mommy?" Then you point at me.

"YAY!!!" Lots of clapping.

You are pretty good at that game. Even when you don't point at the right people, you're exceptional at congratulating yourself with lots of claps. So cute!

At twelve months you:

-Grin at everyone to catch their attention. It almost always works.
-Have eight teeth and are getting some molars in, too.

-Run everywhere.

-Love climbing stairs.

-Will now hold my hand when we walk around. I think it's so cute!

-Pull your hair bows and flowers out. ALL. THE. TIME.

-Pulling books off the bookshelf and turning the pages is your favorite past time.

-Give kisses, to me, to other babies, and to Grandma, Grandpa, and Daddy on Web cam.

-Say "Moo", "Woof, woof", "Daddy", "baby", and quack like a duck, but it sounds more like a dog.

-Are mesmerized by birds and dogs and will chase them whenever they're in sight.

-Have a new-found love for playgrounds and slides.

-Love babies--real ones and dolls. Your baby dolls get the most slobbery kisses I've ever seen.

-Wave hi and bye.

-Know it's time to leave whenever I open the front door. Your little legs run to dart out the door and scamper up the stairs.

-Have transitioned to whole milk in a sippy cup. It wasn't easy, but you're doing okay, now.

-Flew in an airplane for the first time (August 17), and handled it better than I'd hoped.

-Traveled well to Texas and while driving back through Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri.

-Snuggle before and after naps and at bedtime. It's the best time of day for me!

-Hate diaper changes and play chase once your diaper is off.

-Point to pictures of Daddy and say "Dadda!"

-Spoon feed yourself.

-Walk over to the computer and ask to see "Dadda" on Web cam. Then you get super excited to see him.

-Love exploring outdoors.

-Everything on the ground no longer immediately goes to your mouth. Thank you.

I love you, my baby girl

Love,
Mom