One Year

Dear Lily Mae,

Happy Birthday! You are a one year old now! Some mothers take lots of photos and make scrapbooks. Since I haven't been the best record keeper and maker for this first year, I thought I would write you a recap of what your first year of life was like here on this beautiful planet earth.

You came into the world in the middle of May, two weeks past your May 1st due date. On the 13th, the doctors induced me and the next day you were born. While everyone thought you were late, I'm pretty sure you came just when you needed to come. 

Those first few weeks were really beautiful. We stayed in Oregon for a week and a half, then headed home to Utah to see your dad be sustained as Bishop. That Sunday was also your blessing day. It was a beautiful Spring day. 

You had a full head of dark, dark brown hair when you were born. People would frequently comment on what lovely hair you had. And your beautiful smile, which you were always willing to share with others. It was amusing to watch as your lovely hair began falling out, and you were left with just parts of a mohawk. Even with a funky hair-do, you were still a beautiful baby.

Days and months passed faster than I could catch where it was you grew from an infant to a baby with lots of personality. You were so much fun to care for. I would work while you took naps, so when you were awake, you would patiently swing or play by me as I cooked, cleaned and took care of the house. Nursing was also fun (after the first painful month was over). It was a fun way to bond, and while you didn't like it if I read a paperback book, you did let me read from my Kindle. While nursing you I read, Pride and Prejudice, Baby Wise, Eating on the Wild Side, Little Women, Create Good Habits Using Psychology and Technology and perhaps another one I'm forgetting. It was a fun time to feed you and have time to read. We both weened each other off around eight months. I wanted to give more energy to your new growing sibling, and you came to realize the bottle was a faster cow. 

I did note in my journal some milestones of yours. Around eight weeks you began sleeping 9 hours through the night. Miracle baby! There was a stretch around 6 months for a month or two when you'd wake up wanting to eat in the middle of the night. But for the most part I was so glad we usually both got the sleep we needed.

Your first giggle came around the end of August (3 months). And according to my journal you rolled over around the five month mark. I started feeding you solids around six months, which is also when we found out we were expecting baby #2. 

Around 9 months, you still did not enjoy being on your tummy. You rarely cried, unless I gave you tummy time. During which you would roll right over and cry as if all was lost. Your head would hang down and the tears would roll. We just hoped you'd magically learn to crawl some day.

That day came when you were around 11 months and a week or so old. After many attempts to put every fun thing far away from you, you decided to army crawl over to a plastic container filled with other toys. It was one of the happiest days of my life :) But really, we were thrilled. From there, you army crawled for about a month, then started moving around on all fours.

Thank you for bringing so much joy into our family's life Lily. You are a sweet, beautiful, happy daughter of God. I love you.

Love,

Mom