Little A Turns One

 I honestly don't know how this happened. Somehow my baby girl is already a year old. You would think that I would be able to see this coming. After all, I had a whole year to prepare for it. It seems like yesterday that I was lamenting over being overdue and uncomfortable. Alas, I was blindsided once more.

In my defense, I think it happens faster the more kids you have. With just one child, the days were not so busy and full of, well, life.

So here we are, celebrating my special little girl and the joy she brings to our lives.

Little A has always been a mover and shaker. She was very active in the womb, and she continued that activity after birth. She rolled over when just two days old (although that was probably a fluke), and regularly rolled over when she was 2 1/2 months. She could reach anything in a room when she was four months, crawled a real crawl just after turning 5 months, and took her first several steps in a row when she was 8.5 months. I know that some kids reach these milestones earlier, but she impressed me with her activity.

Miss A also loves to be outside. She stands by the door, longingly gazing outside until someone lets her out (and goes out with her). Sometimes, she finishes her dinner and immediately walks to the door to be let outside. Then, she cries when it is not possible to grant her request.

Little A is also very social. Her first real word was "hi." She said this around four months, but she didn't say Mama until she was 11 months. I guess she didn't think she needed to since I was always there. In fact, the first time she said the "ma" sound, it went something like "Ma ma ma ma babababa."

A is such a joy to have in our family. I have thoroughly enjoyed this past year. Having an infant is intense, but it is so worth it. I look forward to what her second year will bring.