Week 51

Dear Jorie,

I'm sorry I missed your letter last week. Last week was my birthday, and in between all the festivities, I could not find the time to sit down and write a letter to you. I did take a lot of pictures though.

This past week was filled with all of our normal adventures. Seeing both sets of grandparents, brunch with Farley, our Wednesday mornings together. I feel like these weeks speed by, with only a few hours here and there to really sit down and play with you.

This is the last week before you turn one. I can't believe it. I does not seem like it was a whole year ago that I was waiting to see if I would be induced or not. It really feels like it was only a few weeks ago that you were a tiny newborn cuddling up on my chest. Now you're a powerhouse of a toddler, getting more confidant with your walking every day. 

A lot of this past weekend was spent planning for your birthday party, which we're having this Sunday. I'm almost ready for it, I just have to buy the food, put up the decorations and bake your smash cake!

You newest tricks involve waving bye bye, although you usually do it after the person has left, shaking your head no, finding toys and bringing them to us when we ask for them, and feeding us food from your plate. You're also starting to try to climb things already, and you love to take the most difficult route from point a to point b, often squeezing yourself through tiny gaps between barriers we've set up to pen you in.

Your tooth is almost all the way in now, and the way you're drooling and chewing on things, I'm sure there is at least one more on it's way. We've kept a steady supply of chewable objects around, although you're happy enough to just chew on whatever toy you happen to grab a hold of.

We're still not sure if you've said your first word or not, you make a lot of consistent noises, but nothing we can really call a "word". But words or not, you are very good at making sure we know what you mean! 

It's so much fun watching your personallity evolve. So far you are headstrong and determined, happy and friendly. You love people and animals, playing peek-a-boo, and being tickled. You have a lot of fun on the swing, and seem to have no fear of speed or heights. Complicated objects, like ornate jewelry is very interesting to you. So are wires (ugh!) any electronics, scarves, and any toy your cousin is holding. 

On Tuesday, I was holding your cousin and you would pick up another toy, walk over to us, hand him the new toy, and take what he was holding. Then a few seconds later you'd do it again. You exchanged toys with him this way maybe six or seven times before you got tired of the game.

Your father and I went out to a movie the Saturday before last, and your Grandma and Grandpa R watched you while we were gone. They had a great time playing with you! Your Grandma R said one of the things you were having fun doing was being chased by her. She would crawl around chasing you while you toddled around. You thought it was hilarious!

I love you so much baby girl!