13 months old

Yesterday, April 10, 2005 marked your the first day of your 13th month of life. I cannot believe it. It seems like just yesterday you were this tiny little bundle carefully swaddled by your Daddy to protect you from this big, harsh world. You grew so fast. Too fast. You started out so small and vulnerable and now it seems that almost nobody can stop you.

You are filled with boundless energy. If only we could bottle it up and sell it to tired mothers like me - we would make millions! I am amazed at the amount of speed you can get from here to there. In the past month, that speed caught us both off guard when you literally crawled over Allie and right off the bed. Stop scaring me like that, ok?!! Of course it scared you too, but you were ok. And of course, I called the doctor to find out what signs of head trauma I should be looking out for after. Your favorite nurse asked if you had dilated eyes, convulsions, vomitting - the answer to all of which was NO. She then declared you fine and asked if I was ok. I choked out another NO through some tears and she reassured me that this type of thing happens all the time and is no reflection of my parenting skills. Thank God for Tricia.

You are still dancing too. But now you have added the occassional twirl. I first saw this last Friday and nearly cried at how incredibly sweet and beautiful that twirl was. You have also taken a fancy to dressing up. In fact, when I came to pick you up last Wednesday you were wearing a hideous black and yellow striped vest over your little dress. You looked like a bumble bee in drag, but cute as ever of course. Then the next day you apparently insisted on parading around in a woman's jacket clearly designed in the shoulder-pad ladden 80's. It was about 5,000,000 times too big for you, so your teacher Mary rolled up the sleeves as high as she could.

You are talking more now too. Your new favorite word and hobby is "Bubboes" and you love dipping that wand into the soapy water. You even try to blow the bubboes yourself, but have yet to master this craft. Yesterday you met Rosie's new boyfriend and laughed whole-heartedly at his lack of bubboes-blowing skill. He didn't seem to mind. In fact, I think he kept at it to invoke more Gabby Giggles.

You are also blowing more kisses than ever and giving kisses too. And lots and lots of loves. You are teasing Bella relentlessly nowadays, but giving both her and Allie lots of loves too so that they know it is all in fun.

You are enjoying spending time in the Creepy Crawlers room too. In fact, you have adjusted to this change much better than I have. Admittedly I had a hard time realizing that you were transitioning so much earlier than planned. It was supposed to happen June 1, but that all changed when you took a liking to the Creepy Crawlers and their teachers Miss Chelsea and Miss Maria much earlier than expected. You really are so much smaller than those other kiddos, but you have been holding your own. You look so cute sitting at table with the rest of them for snacks and lunch. No more high-chair at school for you! And I have to admit that I love making your lunch each day, writing your name on your lunch bag and drawing a little flower or heart to liven it up a bit.

You hardly ever use a bottle anymore. Instead they offer your drinks in sippy cups. And we are trying to get you to drink whole milk, so I haven't had to pump in weeks (WOOO HOOO!!! But totally worth the many hours I spent doing so for your benefit). You still nurse at night and on weekends with me - you haven't shown me any signs that you are ready to stop but you have adjusted pretty well to not getting breastmilk at school.

I am not sure which of your classmates are your closest friends, but I have seen you playing with each of them on occassion. There are Conrad, Lola and Molly who you also knew in the Bumblebee room. And Charlotte, Charlie and Ella too. Actually, I have known Ella's Daddy since I was a little girl. Funny that we would both grow up and have Gabriella's within a year of each other. Ella is a cute girl, just as you are. And of course you still play with Ryan and Autumn too, even though they haven't quite transitioned yet.

I truly am blessed beyond comprehension to be your mother. I don't know what I ever did to deserve this distinct and beautiful honor, but I thank God everyday that I am your MaMa. I have loved watching you grow so much. I love cuddling my sweet girl, playing with you and making silly noises, comforting you when you are upset and giggling with you when you are silly. There is nothing about you I would ever change. You are perfect just as you are.

Happy 13 months my sweet.

Love your Mommy.