13 months of Stella

Dear Stella,

It's hard to believe that you are already 13 months old. It seems like just yesterday we were bringing you home from the hospital and now you are a bubbly, vivacious one year old. You've been walking now for almost a month and are thrilled with your new freedom. You are no longer content to just be held by mom or dad - you'd rather be running around exploring the world around you!

I take you on walks around the neighborhood almost every day (sometimes with Grandma, too!) and you love to look for bunnies, doggies, and birds. You love to say "hop hop hop" or "ruff ruff" when you see your favorites animals. Whenever we go to the park, you love to chase the geese and say "honk honk" as they run away from you. Your vocabulary is expanding every day; your favorite words to say right now are "mama, dada, cheese, hi, bye" and your newest phrase- "I love you!".

You still love to sleep next to me every night (and for naps if I let you!). You are still nursing a few times during the day, and have become an expert at signing "milk" at me. Although I am eager for you to sleep on your own, I don't want to give up our cuddle time every night just yet! You know so much baby sign language and it amazes me how quickly you learn new signs. The signs you use most are "milk, more, all done, cheese, please, and thank you".

You are so friendly and absolutely love being around other little kids.  When I take you to the park, you will walk right up to other kids and wave and say "hi" to them. You light up every room you walk into and bring so much happiness to everyone who knows you! I am so lucky that you chose me to be your mama and cherish every moment we get to spend together!

Love,
Mama