what a ONE-derful world

"i hear babies cry....i watch them grow, they'll learn so much more....than i'll ever know, and i think to myself...what a wonderful world"

dear milena, happy first birthday. you have blessed your mama and papa one thousand times over. here are a few things you're doing, that we can look back on as those sweet days, when you were just the tender age of one. love you.

*a girl of few "words," but understand everything we say

*you moan to fall asleep, say "uh uh uh" when you want something and are great at making up your own conversations with "adubadubaduba" all day long

*throw your head back in laughter (as you've seen your mama and your aunties do) which puts the rest of us in stiches

*you love to brush your teeth. you know the routine when it's about to happen and you literally jump for joy

*take a few steps, rest and try again - you're up to 11 steps (first walked on 4.18)

*love to lean in and give your big sister big kisses and hugs

*you love to bounce and will "bouncy, bouncy, bouncy" on command

*stretch your arms out and close your eyes - almost pained for mama to scoop you

*use your little pointer finger to look at the finest details of food, dust, or any minute matter

*could spend hours looking at the trees, birds and breeze moving through it all

*have great coordination with a ball and think every toy in your basket is one too, as you chuck it across the room

*give high fives, clap and you looooovvveee to sing

*wake up always with a smile and a big kiss for mama, before quickly making sure your sister is within eyesight

*crawl around the house with things in your mouth, like a puppy who has just fetched

*close your eyes and throw your head the opposing direction when you absolutely don't want something

*are so definitive about what you do and don't want and let everyone know through facial expression alone

*love the bath like nothing else and have the best time splashing

*want to do most things your sister does and are thoroughly entertained by her

*can be so serious 50% of the time and such a ham the other 50% 

how we spent your birthday

quinoa banana muffin, o's and strawberries

beach fun!

 

birthday dip

prefer sitting on the blanket to the texture of the sand

pumpkin spice cake, no thank you mama

on a side note, mama got to hold one of our newest "family" members. little george. at only 17 hours old, he's pretty darn fresh - and super cute and loveable to boot. congratulations tylers!

365 days ago in the hospital with my muffin