Baby Girl

I can't believe my baby girl is ONE! (I'm a little late. Her birthday was Monday.) I'd like to list a few things to remember about Lena at this time in her life. 

1 - Lena still only has her bottom two teeth. But I can see the top two getting ready to make their appearance.

2 - She loves to smile, and it is rare to see her without a smile on her face. 

3 - Even though she's getting older, she still likes to cuddle with mommy, especially when she's tired, cold, or scared. She'll lay her head down on my shoulder. It's adorable! (She cuddles with dad, too.) Anytime I'm on the floor she'll stand up against me and lay her head up against me. She'll get into my lap any way she can. (She's a pretty good climber and can get up on stacked couch cushions or on the couch even when the cushions are off.)

4 - Everyone tells me she is one of the most beautiful babies they have ever seen. (I put that because I want her to be able to know that in the future.)

5 - She loves attention. She is always smiling and waving at everyone, especially those sitting behind us in church.

6 - She only fusses and cries when she's hurt, hungry, or tired. Otherwise she is very patient and happy. 

7 - Lena will just laugh for no reason. I'll hear her in the other room laughing by herself.

8 - She is started to mimic words. After giving her something she'll say, "dee doo" (thank you). She likes to play a game with you where she'll hand you something and say "dee doo" and then when you give it back she'll say it again. The one word that is unmistakable is daddy. She is always saying "daddy, daddy" and she says it with the same tone every time. She also says "daa!" when she's trying to call for him. She loves her daddy. She says a few other words that aren't quite as clear. Like when I say "Woo Hoo" she says, "Woo!" in her cute little girl voice. And she is always babbling. She loves to use her voice. Oh, another thing she mimics is when I say "ha ha ha". She'll repeat it, it's funny.


9 - She is already starting to sing. It took Asher a lot longer to start singing. She'll sing "baa-paa, baa-paa" like the Dora song "backpack, backpack". When music is on or we're singing around the house she'll chime in with nonsense words, but definitely in a sing song voice. 


10 - She likes to crawl in and out of little places. She loves to crawl behind chairs up against the wall, or under the chairs. Sometimes she gets stuck and gets frustrated. It's pretty funny! 

11 - Because Asher is currently obsessed with dinosaurs, he talks about them a lot. Whenever he brings them up, if Lena hears, she'll make a "raaaagh" sound with her mouth, trying to mimic Asher always making "rawr" sounds. 


12 - She is starting to walk. She's been pushing herself up to a standing position on her own for a while, but just this week she's started walking. And it's not just a step here or there. Every time she pushes herself up (which is a lot) she's taking a few steps every time. She'll have it down in no time. 


13 - She gets so excited sometimes that it seems like she can't contain herself and just has to move all around. She loves to shake her head back and forth. She thinks it's so funny to go back and forth with someone doing that. She also likes to put her head to one side and smile at you. Precious. 

14 - She's starting to point at everything and talk, even though she's just saying babble words. She's becoming very curious. 


15 - She seems to be sensitive. She doesn't like really loud noises. If it startles her she'll get scared and cry a little. But she usually cuddles on your shoulder which is so cute that I don't mind. :o)


16 - Any time I say "Yay!" she claps. 

17 - Even though she's small, she sometimes out eats Asher. She can eat so much!! And she eats anything, which is nice... but sometimes not as you'll see in the next one. :o)

18 - She is very mischievous. She likes to get into things. She loves to eat anything off the floor. It's ridiculous! I don't even know where she gets some of it. I am always checking her mouth to make sure there's nothing gross in there. And she likes to pull my bottom drawer out and pull all my shirts out. 

19 - She likes anything small. Like rocks, or wheels to Asher's cars. She'll carry them all around the house and I'll find them everywhere... and sometimes in her mouth.


20 - She makes you feel special just by looking at you. With her beautiful smile and happy countenance, she is such a joy to have in our home and in our family!! Happy Birthday, Lena Lou!