Length: 33 inches
Weight: 22lbs 12oz
Head Circumference: 18 inches
Weight: 22lbs 12oz
Head Circumference: 18 inches
Milestones this month:
- 8 teeth total! They’re big, crooked, and oh so cute.
- Putting things in containers. It all started while FaceTiming with Gigi…I asked you to show her how you could put a block in a bucket. You did it, she cheered, and now you expect an applause every time! You drop the block in and then immediately snap your head up to look at us…it’s pretty cute 🙂 You also like to take tennis balls out of their container and put them back in. I know I’m your mom, but I’m impressed!
- Climbing in and out of your PBK chair. You love to do this over and over again. The dismount is sometimes interesting (like the time you did a summersault out), but you’re getting it figured out pretty quickly. I love it when you climb up there, lean back, and just look around as if you’re gazing out over your kingdom.
- The fake laugh. There’s nothing better than hearing a big, fake “ha ha ha” coming from the back seat when we’re out and about. Finally, you’re learning to entertain yourself in the car 😉
- Moving between pieces of furniture. You can move from the couch to the coffee table with no problem these days…now we just need to get you to realize that you can actually stand on your own.
- Playing Independently. You are one brave little lady. When you start walking you will transition out of the infant room at the gym, but they like to put you out with the big kids now from time to time–probably because, like the teachers told me, you bang on the window until they let you out 🙂 Anyway, I love picking you up and finding you in the big kids room just playing your little heart out. It amazes me to see you just doing your own thing, not needing anyone. You are getting SO big!
- Words: Added Dada and Papa this month!
Things you like this month:
- Being chased. All we have to do is say “I’m gonna get you!” and stomp around, and you are off crawling as fast as you can, squealing and giggling with delight. As you can imagine, we play this little game a lot 🙂
- Sharing food with Hazel. You’ve figured out that you can get Hazel’s attention with food 100% of the time…and for that, you’re always willing to give up your veggie straws.
- Sunglasses. Not really wearing them, but playing with ours. Good thing we buy the cheapos!
- When Daddy gets home. You get so excited that you do a full spin on your bottom 🙂
- Trying to lift things. I’m not sure what this fascination is all about, but if there is a heavy object nearby you are determined to lift it–and grunt while doing so.
- Macaroni & Cheese. But who doesn’t really?!
- The iPad. I was excited to find some good educational apps for 1-year-olds, but now I’m starting to think we created a monster! I thought we wouldn’t have to put a technology limit on your for a few more years 😉
Things you don’t like this month:
- Morning Naps. That’s right, you’ve won the battle…for now. I decided to just follow your lead on this one and let you take just an afternoon nap. It’s always at least 2 hours long, but some days it’s 3–so I’ll take that!
- When I turn the iPad off. Eeek.
Special memories this month:
To my sweet one-year-old…
- 1 Year Pictures with Aubrey.
- First trip to the downtown aquarium.
- Preparing for you first birthday party!
To my sweet one-year-old…
It’s your birthday! Your FIRST birthday! I can’t believe 365 days have gone by since you came into this world, but at the same time I feel like you’ve been a part of our lives forever. I remember the moment I first snuggled you on my chest…I thought I had never loved someone or something so much in my entire life. Little did I know that that love would multiply a hundred times or more by the time you were one.
Sweet girl, you have truly taught me what love is.
This may sound weird, but every morning that I wake up, I am excited. Excited to see you smiling at me in your crib, excited to see what new tricks you will master that day, excited about the lessons you will teach me…every day is an adventure with you.
There was a time not too long ago that I thought I would never get to experience being a mom…but I thank the Lord every single day that he had other plans. He chose me to be your mom. How blessed am I? And while you have changed in a million ways over the last year, I want you to know that you have changed me too. You have taught me to be more loving, more patient, more kind…you have made me better in all areas of my life. You may be little, but you have done BIG things in our family.
Every once in awhile I get glimpses of the person you will be…and that makes me smile.
You are sweet, happy, and you can light up a room with your smile.
You are independent, daring, and a little bit feisty too.
You are goofy–and you know it. You love to laugh and to make us laugh.
You are uniquely and perfectly you.
365 days have flown by, but I can honestly say that we’ve made the most of each one of them. You have taught me to slow down, to soak it all in, to love BIGGER. And for that, I will always, always be grateful.
Happy Birthday to my little angel baby.
You are our greatest blessing.
Love you more than I ever thought possible,
Mommy
We prayed for this child and the Lord has granted us what we asked of him.
1 Samuel 1:27
Love your letter, happy birthday Arden!!!! When all the bday festivities are over and u have a minute, will u send me done of the apps u found? I've been trying to find a couple for Waverly.
Have so much fun!!!
Your letter brought tears to my eyes, it is so so sweet. Why do our babies have to grow up so fast?? And I agree with the comment above….I would love to know what apps she likes!
She's ONE!! Happy first birthday you guys!! I've loved watching her grow these past few months.. Now bring on the birthday cake!
Happy happy birthday Arden! God is so good and he knew what he was doing when he made you a mom. You are such a great mom and Arden is one lucky lady!!
can't wait to help you guys celebrate this amazing milestone!!
LOVE everything about this post! And I love 1 Samuel 1:27, it's definitely one of my favorites!! Happy celebrating your sweet girl!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ARDEN!! What a sweet girl and post! I'm so excited to see her party, I know it'll be fab! She's such a cutie and has such a great little family, with so many wonderful memories from her first year!
Beautiful Birthday post Vanessa! Happy First Birthday Arden!
We made our own little piggy bank thing around age one. Cleaned out a peanut butter can and cut a rectangle slit thru the top then used the metal ends from frozen juice and Jojo would sit for hours and put the coins in the jar over and over, it makes a great coin clanking sound too.
Also an APP Arden might love is Nighty Night, it's kind of a book that you put the animals to sleep, it's so cute, we do it over and over.
Can't wait to see the wonderful Birthday PARTY pics!!!!
Great job being her Mommy!
Happy birthday to your sweet girl! Maybe our baby will decide to be born today too 🙂
What a wonderful day! Thinking of you guys lots!
Happy happy birthday Arden! That first year goes by so stinkin fast it's unbelievable!
Happy first birthday! That quilt is amazing!
Happy first birthday Arden!! She is such a cutie, hope you guys have fun celebrating!!
happy birthday, arden!!!
Wishing Arden the Happiest 1st Birthday, Have fun celebrating this very special day!!! I can't wait to hear all about her party:)