One Year Ago Today...(Updated With Photos)

Dear Kat,

365 days have come and gone since you joined our family and what a year it has been!  Your growth has been incredible to watch.  It amazes me that the glimpse of personality we saw in those first few days and weeks have continued to shine.  If we are lucky enough to give you a sibling some time in the future, fantastic.  If not, you are all that I need, baby.  From the moment Dr. A held you up and announced you were, indeed, a girl, my world was complete (that was until the moment I finally got to hold you - THEN my world felt right).

This year has not been without it's rough parts, but that's on me, not you.  Even though I've had quite the mental journey, I wouldn't trade it for anything simply because YOU were on the journey with me.

The year was split between wanting to speed up time so that I can get to all the fun things I'm looking forward to with you - tea parties, building forts, bike riding, watching you in your first piano recital/dance class/hockey game/whatever activity you choose, having neat snacks ready for you when you come home from school, trips to the lake....basically everything.  On the flip side, I want time to freeze and for you to stay little.  I'm already mourning those times we spent just you and I, cuddling in the rocker...you, swaddled up with a soother and super content...me, rocking you and crying quietly because I knew those moments weren't going to last forever :)

For the most part, you are a calm, quiet little girl who enjoys "reading" your books and telling stories.  You share your smile with everyone who comes into contact with you.  You love to make people laugh what with the goofy faces you make.  At twelve months old, you:

...can feed yourself with a fork (but I have to scoop the food onto it :)

...love to throw your toys out of your crib/playpen every chance you get

...tap your head when you hurt yourself (even if it's a different part of your body that is hurt)

...call me "Mum".  No Mommy or Mama...just "Mum"

...call Daddy "Da-du"

...put your hand to your ear whenever the phone rings

...have stood alone only a handful of times

...when you want to call Shandi, you stretch out your arm, rub your fingers together and make kissing noises

...know a couple of signs ("all done" and "pretty" and "drink")

...speaking of kisses, I should point out that open-mouthed kisses are not appropriate among family members :-)  But when you do it, it is too cute to resist!

...are a lean, mean little crawling machine!

...love your naps, but hate bedtime.

...have your ninth tooth (a molar) breaking through

With you, I have been given such a fantastic responsibility and it scares the hell out of me that it is up to me to shape and guide you, but I promise that I'll do the best that I can.  I know I will make mistakes, but someday when you're rocking your own little baby, it will all make sense and you will understand.  I'm rambling now, because how on earth do I sum up what this past year and what YOU mean to me?  You're my everything and I love you more than you will ever know.

Happy Birthday, Pumpkin.  This is only the first of many more wonderful birthdays we will celebrate :-)

Love Mommy

PS - there are no pictures to accompany this post...yet.  We'll wait until you do your "cupcake smash" tonight at supper :)

Her last night as an 11-month old

"What do you mean I have to wait until I'm 16 to drive?!?"

A birthday lunch with Grandma

Birthday supper

Officially a year old (photo taken at 6:26 - the minute she was born)!

For me?!?

Mmmm...I will never go back to sweet potatoes after this!

Kat's "squinchy" face (or the tale end of it)

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY, BITCHES!!!!!  RAWR!