Mommy Kahdib

Happy Birthday, Emmie!

Dear Emerson,

Today you are a year old! I can't believe a whole year has gone by. We've had such amazing times and done so much in this year. You're learned so much, you've grown so big, and it has been wonderful discovering things about you. This morning you woke up bright and early at 6:30am as if to say, "I'm too excited to sleep, it's my birthday!" You were your regular happy self, smile, and patting Daddy on the face and giving kisses galore. We lounged around in bed playing until around 8am. I gave you scrambled eggs with cheese for breakfast because you are the magic age where they take all food restrictions off...you weren't too thrilled with the eggs and purposefully put them in your mouth, made a face, and then removed them straight away. You prefer fruit--you grandma Donna yesterday said, in your one little year of life you like more foods than your 26 year old father!

Ok, on with the day, we played a bit after breakfast, I came on to check email and OD, of course, and you went into the living room all by yourself--that's a big step because you always like to be right by my side. I heard a big thump and went out to check on you, instead of playing with the million and one toys in your basket you decided that it was a better idea to help mommy with the laundry and you dumped the basket that was in there and you were having the time of your life waving a sweater and some socks around high in the air! While you were busy with the laundry I decided to put your cake in the oven...it's a cute little giraffe face! We played some more and I though for sure you were going to need a nap but you stayed strong...the cake was done so we went over to the library and the park...you won the attention of two little boys--both were about three--and they were very interested in helping you climb the tires and then followed you around giving you hugs and kisses while you crawled in the grass. You are very patient and love other kids!

Please Pardon the "Point and Shoot" camera's flashiness, I just like the hair, teeth and dimple!

We left the park and went to the grocery store, you rode around on my back as usual in the Ergo, and I felt your head getting a bit heavy, but I wanted to get you home before you fell asleep. We only had a 3 minute car ride home, but you hit the carseat and zonked out. I shook the seat, yelled your name, wiggled your arms. Most of the time if you fall asleep for even a minute when you wake up you are too refreshed for a nap....but not this time! We got home and your eyes didn't pop open at the sound of my e-break, you didn't budge when the door unlocked, you didn't blink when I unfastened your buckles and carried you into the house unlocking the front door, pulling your shades to say goodnight world, or even when I put the crib rail down and laid you on your back. Oh, this nap was also achieved without a paci!! That I think may be a record, you haven't slept without that thing since the first three weeks of your life when you didn't have it...you slept for two hours and proceeded to call out to me and jump up and down, I came into the room to get you and you had a huge grin on your face and clapped for me. I hope when you're in highschool and I come in to wake you up in the morning I can catch a glimpse of this precious moment...although I fear you will yell at me, bury your head in your pillow and I'll have to come back in ten minutes.

A little self portrait...

So then we hung out for the afternoon...waiting for cake! I iced it while you were asleep...we walked to the mail box, we watered the gardens (all while babywearing, mind you!) you got to watch a little bit of Signing Times...then...we had dinner...and then...we had cake, and I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. If anyone knows how to resize a video I'd upload that as well, it's pretty darn funny! (Ok, made a link instead....)

The Cake
(it's supposed to be a giraffe face...poor guy is yellow and grey because I couldn't make brown...)


Mom, um...that's fire...


It's ok!?


I'll have a piece, I guess...


Let me try this stuff...


Mmmm...it tastes good, is it a good conditioner too?


Very serious work, followed by a good giggle and a gray beard!


Mmmmm...


Good stuff...

So, the year in review...you started out as a hungry little chicken with her mouth open and her eyes shut, you could seek me out in the middle of the night, you started to coo, you then smiled, you cuddled and kicked and wiggled and giggled (although not too much) you melted our hearts and crept in there to stay. You learned to roll over and crawl and eat...and then feed yourself. You can woo me with your bright blue eyes...I will never forget the 365 days that you woke up in bed next to me and brought a smile to my face...we start each day with love and kisses and that is what has made all the difference. I can't wait for more fun this upcoming year, you're one, I can't believe the tiny creature that came out of my body has turned into a little human being with a big personality and a smile that can light up a room! Keep on keepin' on, little M&M, I love you to pieces!

Love,
Momma
(I prompted you to say Momma today and you looked at me very serious like and said...."Bob."