12 months

Nursing - Still going strong! You nurse lots throughout the day, I think it's actually increased in the last two months because of your teething. I love that time with you :) I will be so sad when nursing comes to an end. We'll be talking to the doctor soon about starting whole milk - I didn't nurse Acadia this long, so I have no idea if we'll need to introduce cow's milk now or not. With Acadia, we started at 12 months. We'll see what Dr. Brad says :)

Language - Your first word was "dada" and your second word was "mama" - you first said dada about 2 months ago and said mama about a month ago. Before that, you definitely knew who mama and dada were when we talked about them. I would ask you where dada was and you would laugh and look at Daddy :) Over the last couple days, you have started saying "Uh-oh" which is pretty cute!

You also understand a lot - you understand "no", you understand when we talk about Mercedes, Acadia, Mommy or Daddy. When I tell you "I'm going to get you!" you run away and laugh. When I tell you to get Daddy, you run over to him.

Waving - You started waving a couple months ago and love, love to wave to Daddy when he gets home from work. You absolutely love it when he gets home at the end of the day. You start laughing and jumping up and down on the couch. It's been our ritual since you were born to wait on the couch for Daddy with your big sister. He calls us when he's "around the corner" and we watch him pull up and into the driveway. I see him first on the road and shout, "I see Daddy!!!" and you and Acadia squeal. It's my favorite part of the whole day.

Walking - You are amazing! You started taking steps at 9 months and walking at 10. At this point, you can run...well...as fast as a baby can run ;) I love, love, love seeing you walk. It never gets old to me - you're so CUTE! You've also started climbing the stairs - oy!

Eating - You have a huge appetite and will eat anything, besides peas. You hate them and will just spit them out.

Acadia - I am moved to tears at how much you love her. The bond between you is amazing and I love to be a witness to it. She can make you laugh like no one else can. She can also make you cry like no one can ;) Now that you're mobile and into her toys, she's not so happy sometimes. 3 is a hard age to understand sharing, but I'm doing my best and just hoping she doesn't knock out any of your teeth from pushing you around too much :) She can be so gentle with you but can also be a bit rough - both when she's upset or too excited. Sometimes when you see her coming, you run to me for protection which I find hilarious!

Games - You love playing peek a boo and dancing! I have a couple videos of you dancing which cracks me up. You love to dance and clap. When Acadia watches Dora, you run in front of the tv (which annoys her and makes me laugh) and bounce up and down and clap. It. Is. So. Cute.

Toys - You actually don't have a favorite toy or stuffed animal right now. Acadia was about your age when she became attached to monkey and a little later on, her blankie that Auntie Mimi made for her. In fact, she asked to bring blankie along with us to Plattsburgh today :) Knowing Auntie Mimi, I'm sure you'll have your own blankie some day, too!

Sleeping - You are doing GREAT with your sleep!! You have been sleeping through the night, consecutively, for about 3 months. You go to bed around 7:30 and wake up around 6ish to nurse. Daddy gets you and you lay in bed with us and if we're lucky, you fall asleep while nursing and sleep until around 6:30 or 7 which gives us all a bit more time to sleep :) You normally nap once a day for 1-2 hours. It's about 50/50 on if you and Acadia actually nap together. When you do, it normally doesn't overlap for very long.

Misc - I can't explain enough what a happy baby you are! You make everyone so happy - when people are around you, they just light up :) A part of me just wants you to stay a baby forever, so I can continue to carry you around like I do, smelling your baby smell and kissing your baby cheeks. I honestly can't believe you're already a year old...this past year has gone by too quickly!