Dirt is fun.

 

Playing in dirt keeps you entertained longer than just about anything! 

Best.Year.Ever.

Pre-Party, All prettied up!

Outside under our awesome blue tarp tent (courtesy of the best neighbors ever!), eatin' cake!

Um, yep, she liked it!

Way too fast.

I keep meaning to hop on here and record every little thing you're up to- and of course spending time with you always trumps updating this blog :).  Your first birthday is in less than a month- I can't believe how this year has flown.  What they say is true about the speed in which time moves when you have a kid. The following are things that are special to me that I want to make sure I remember:

Your first word was definitely "Da-deee" and you say it ALL the time.  You do say Mama- but only when you're upset.  Daddy, on the other hand, you say with exuberance and joy, many times it is the first thing you say in the morning.  You started with these words about mid-march, I think.Around the same time you also started signing "more" and "all done".  Before then, you were waving "bye-bye", but you're totally bored with that now and refuse to do it.

Last week you totally surprised me by repeating "Ducky, quack quack quack"  (it sounded more like cack cack cack) after me when I was reading you your farm babies book from grandma,  You're crawling, cruising, pointing at all sorts of things and imitating tones, sounds, and actions.  It is absolutely amazing to watch you learn new things every day.  You get upset when I go to work in the morning, which makes me sad.  I miss you all day long when I'm at work- some days are really hard.  I do get to talk on the phone with you every day, sometimes you "talk" back too!

You remain the happiest baby in the world in the morning- loads and loads of giggles, talking and smiles.  Evening is definitely cranky time for you.  You "share" pretty much everything.  You're very fond of sharing whatever you are eating, and very fond of sharing the dirt you pick up when playing outside.  So considerate!  You're very friendly and outgoing with strangers and other kids, you are so interested in what people are doing-much more than toys most times.  You love being outside- and point out the window every time you see one.

Today- you "threw" the ball for Pepper on the patio- we were so proud of you! Up until now, all of your throws ended up behind you- but you mastered it! You can definitely propel the ball forward now- and of course you are delighted when Pepper returns it to you.  This is the beginning of a beautiful relationship....

Every day I look at you I marvel at how just last year, you weren't even here yet. I could never have imagined loving someone exponentially like this- it just keeps getting better and better.

Hallway crawlin'

This is one of your favorite activities lately, you started crawling a couple weeks back. We love your peg-leg crawl- you're really getting fast!

Like a fish to water...

Rubber ducky- you're the one.

Ok- so by and large I am not a "invest in large pieces of plastic" kind of mommy.  All our large plastic items have come to us passed down, which eases my green guilt a little.  However, this particular thing is my favorite baby item ever.  You LOVE it, and I have the comfort of knowing there will be no accidental heads under water during bath time!  And in case you all were wondering out there- Yes, it quacks.

Christmas 2010- having fun at Grandma and Grandpa Nielson's!

Winter wonderful!

Due to our camera-less nature since thanksgiving- recording your world has been tough! We left our camera at Aunt Evelyn's on Thanksgiving, and then our video camera went caput. Thus the silence.

But, I have been thinking for some time that there are so many thing about you right now that I don't want to forget- the way you reach out and touch peoples' cheeks when you meet them, how fascinated you are by little kids (especially your cousins!), the way you wake up every morning (lately at 6:30, ugh) with a long string of babble and a happy yell or two to greet the day, the joy you get from turning the faucet on while you sit in your bumbo seat watching mom getting ready for work, the way you happily sit and flap your arms on the little froggy potty we got you (starting early!!),  the way you follow your dad with your eyes wherever he goes and completely light up when you see him.

I do remind myself throughout the day to breathe it in- you are really only this little for today. Tomorrow brings new sounds, new skills, and more bittersweet moments of putting away jammies that don't fit any more.

a quick visit to Utah-photos by Grandpa Nielson!

Ginny going in for a sloppery kiss with Great Grandma

Surely up to no good with cousin Luke

the traditional salad-bowl bath at grandma's!

showing off sittin' up skills

All by myself!

Sittin' up- 5 months and 1 week

Halloween fun!

This is actually Pepper's Lobster costume- but it is pretty cute on you too!

Playing with Alex next door

Our little chick! (Thanks to Margaret for the costume!)

Your cheeks totally make this ridiculously cute.

Pepper the none-too-happy lobster. 

I couldn't resist...

More of you "talking" ...today has been one of your chattiest days ever! If you were awake, you were talking (except come evening time when you got cranky!).

Our social butterfly....

The Isabell Gang at Great Aunt Evelyn's  Labor Day Barbeque- that is you sleeping in the sling

Getting ready to party! What a cute dress from Aunt Steffenie!

During a recent video- we showed the world your talking skills.  You recently blew us away, however, when we took you to a barbeque at Great Aunt Evelyn's for labor day.  You engaged every person that walked up to talk with your own special language of aooowwwwoooaaaaa.

Then, I took you over to my friend Luci's house- she had her baby Mahi 3 days after you were born.  The two of you LOVED each other- and you were so cute trying to grab her face and "kiss" (picture a big open slobbery baby mouth coming right at you- another of your favorite ways to interact!).   I think you have your first girlfriend!

Mahi and Ginny- 4 months old

Lean on me, sister.

Chitter chatter

You are really into talking right now- super freaking darling.

Best way to end a day.

I've been back at work now for three weeks.  My first day going back was so hard- I was crying when I left the house and the whole way to work, and then some more in the hallway when someone asked how I was doing.  But, lo and behold, as soon as I got home that first day and saw you having fun with your daddy- I felt 100% better and it has been fine ever since.

Coming home to you, daddy and Pepper makes my days SO fun.  I can't wait to get in the door and scoop you up and soak in the smiles you give me.  You get pretty excited to see me even if you are tired! I am also watching magic happen with you and your dad- the two of you are like two peas in a pod and you are growing closer and closer- it is wonderful to see.  Also, it is something not every little girl gets- lots and lots of dedicated daddy time.

Plus, your dad is excellent with the unpredictability of being with a baby- he loves not knowing what the day will be like.  That is something that is hard for me- I like to know what is coming!

More than anything- you are surrounded by loads of love and showered with hugs and kisses all day from both your parents and we can't imagine life without you.