One Year Old...

Gabrielle,

I will never regret spending this first year with you.  I only get one year with my baby Gabi and I'm so glad I could spend it with you.  Just to be clear though, your daddy and I aren't total losers who never left the house without you (heck, we left the country!) but we were both dedicated to being with you as much as we could.  We know that you'll never remember your first year of life, but we hope that we've given you a safe and happy foundation to grow into the fantastic person we know you'll be.  Your daddy and I both work very hard to ensure that you have a good life because you are the most important thing to us. 

When we found out we were having a baby girl I totally cried.  Not that I cared if we were having a boy or a girl, but finding out that we were having a daughter melted my heart and I could imagine our lives with a little dark-haired, blue-eyed, female mini-me of your daddy (which you are!)  When you were born I distinctly remember seeing you the moment you came out and thinking "whoa, there's a baby" and then a moment later when they put you on my chest I remember falling totally in love with you.  It was that quick and I will never forget that moment.  You are the joy of our lives and we love watching you grow and learn each day. 

I had a minor break-down last night putting you to sleep because it was the last time I saw you before you turned one and weren't a baby anymore.  This morning when you woke up and I went to get you out of your crib you were still the happy girl smiling and jumping up and down just like any other morning....I walked over to you and you squealed with delight as you threw your arms up to be picked up and then instantly whined because you wanted your bottle right away just like any other morning.  I realized that you won't grow up overnight and you will always be my baby (even if you are a big girl).  You are one amazing little person and we feel so blessed that you are ours!   

Love forever and ever,

Mommy and Daddy ("mum mum" and "da da"....the closest words you have for us right now :)



I totally can not believe our baby is ONE year old today!  This year has been full of ups, downs, and learning experiences to say the least....but at one year old Gabi is happy and healthy (and Nick and I survived too)!  Gabrielle goes to the doctor next Thursday so I won't know any growth stats until then.

A few things about Gabrielle at one year: 

• Is walking much, much more than crawling.  Crawling has very quickly become obsolete.  As of three days ago G finally figured out how to stand up in the middle of the floor, so now she is a legit big kid....no more crawling over to things and pulling herself up!
• Sleeps about 11-12 hours at night and takes two naps during the day.
• Is weaned to a bottle in the morning and a bottle at night.  Once this can of formula is gone she will be done with bottles.
• Eating habits are still a bit odd. Most of the time she is a very good eater but sometimes she'll have her days of being so picky.  She loved scrambled eggs a few weeks ago and yesterday I made her an egg and she wouldn't have any of it what so ever.  Who knows....
• Clothes are also interesting.....she still wears her 6-9 month onesies, 12 month shirts and leggings, 6-9 month looser leg pants (12 months fall right off), and can also wear some 3-6 month tops from last spring.
• Wears size 3 diapers and shoes.
• Doesn't really say any words but is a babbling fool with gibberish constantly coming out of her mouth.  Has learned to say "mum mum", but usually uses in relation to food rather than me :/   
• Obsessed with pointing at things....only she doesn't really point just with her finger yet.  She just sticks her arm and hand straight out at what she is pointing to.  She'll point, say some gibberish, then look at me to say the word.  
• Has her one tooth on the bottom and has cut another on the top - her left lateral incisor (not the middles, but the one next to the middle).  It looks like there are 2 or 3 on both the top and bottom that could cut through any time too.
• Is becoming very affectionate.  She loves to hug her stuffed animals and will give you a "kiss" when you ask for one (leans her forehead way in to touch yours....and has a sweet little smile on her face :)

I took Gabi's one year pictures today, but will post them with her party pictures once we have those (so as not to do the big outfit reveal before the big party tomorrow)!!!!


HAPPY BIRTHDAY GABRIELLE!