1-year-old

Charlotte Ruth is 1-year-old! It is really hard to believe that an entire year has gone by. It seems like just yesterday I was holding a newborn in my arms. Now I have a sweet little girl who walks, talks, and laughs. I know I've said it before, and I will say it again - Charlotte brings such joy into our lives. We all laugh together on a daily basis. I have such pride and awe when watching her. I love to just sit back and watch her play! She is funniest when she doesn't even know we are watching.Here are some things I want to remember about Charlotte at 1:

- can walk around all over the place. She took her first steps 3 weeks ago and now she is a walking queen

- can say a few words: Dada, Mama, hi, bye-bye, ball (baba), and yes (ya). She rarely does them on cue, but she can say them. :)

- she loves to give high-fives

- can give kisses, the big open-mouthed kind

- loves to give hugs to the people that she knows and loves

- will walk over, turn around, and plop in your lap if that is where she wants to be

- can't stand it when Mark and I are on the couch and she isn't

- loves to play with her ball spinning toy, shapes box, and look at her books

- loves to crawl to the bathtub and knows exactly where to go when I take her diaper off in her room and sit her on the ground

- has started hugging and showing love to her dolls and stuffed animals

- she isn't really attached to any one item or blanket

- doesn't really like the car even though she is in it multiple times a day. She really likes it best when we turn on her car dvd player with PraiseBaby or listen to Kindermusik cd's

- is taking a bottle that is 1/2 whole milk and 1/2 formula

- eats table foods but she is a VERY picky eater

- has 2 bottom and 3 top teeth for a total of 5 teeth, with one more on the top about to cut through

- she gave up her morning nap 1 week ago, so we are down to one afternoon nap a day

We just love our little girl and are so thankful for each day with her. I can't wait to see what her next year of life has in store for us!

Here is a video of her walking at her birthday party.