One Year Already

Tonight when I was awakened in the night by your cry, I did not roll over and groan. I did not think, "cry it out." Instead, I thought, "This is not going to last much longer." I was motivated to go to you.

I held you in my arms and rocked as you nursed back to sleep. You were totally relaxed. Totally trusting me. But no longer totally dependent on me.

You move around the house with ease, albeit on all fours. You joyfully follow your brother and sister and absolutely love it when they follow you. You light up with fascination when you realize that something happened because you pushed a button.

You love to be outside, to crawl through the grass, to watch the animals, to watch your family. You love the wind blowing in your face and hair. You love to eat scrambled eggs, pancakes, cereal, carrots, sweet potatoes, green beans, crackers, bread, puffs, yogurt, bananas, blueberries. You love to feed yourself. You love to eat the crumbs from under the kids' table... especially dessert crumbs! You have 4 teeth - two are center bottom, but the top two are off center.

You say Mama and Dada, Dadid, and just yesterday I realized something was trying to sound like Elizabeth. I wish I could remember what it was, but I'm sure I'll be hearing it again soon. You say byebye with an adorable little wave.

You crawl across me and anyone else on the floor like we're a speed bump that doesn't really slow you down. You are so comfortable in your home. You are happy. You are loved.

Saturday we will celebrate you with a birthday party. Next Wednesday you will be one year old. It was gone in the blink of an eye. The only regret I have for you is that you will not have the privilege of knowing first hand how much Grandma and Papa loved you.

I know the coming years will fly by. Who will you become? I can't wait to get to know you, to teach you, to love on you even more. You are more precious to me than you'll ever know. And no matter what happens, I hope you'll always remember our song:

Mama loves Rebekah, Mama loves Rebekah, Mama loves Rebekah, I love you!
I love you, girl! Love you, girl! I love you, girl! Love you, girl!
Mama loves Rebekah, Mama loves Rebekah, Mama loves Rebekah, I love you!

100% All Natural Teether

Elizabeth has invented a new 100% all natural teether!
She started this at HEB. She was getting fussy in the basket, so when I picked up a yellow squash, I just handed it to her. Somewhere in the store, she gnawed the top stem off. I assume she spit it out, because I haven't seen it "again." I cut the bottom off at home when she started chewing on that end, too.

BTW - She broke her first molar through using this teether!

Elizabeth's Talking!

I may be picture-less for a few days because I'm sick. I wanted to write down what Elizabeth's been saying before I forget it, though, so here ya go:

Sunday at lunch with Aunt Wee & Uncle Bubba, she said Aunt Wee! I think Aunt Wee almost cried! Aunt Wee keeps Elizabeth on Wednesday nights while I take David to Cubbies and has been in the nursery almost every Sunday that Elizabeth has gone!

Monday, much to Grandma's dissappointment, Elizabeth said Grandpa. Grandpa makes funny faces at Elizabeth & she loves his beard!

Tuesday, while during Sesame Street, Elizabeth said Baby Bear. Then I was in the bathroom with David & when we came back, the ending credits were rolling & Elizabeth was signing, "All done!" That amazed me that she recognized the credits meant Sesame Street was all done. Later that day we saw some real live horses & she tried to say horsey.

Let's see, what else has she said... diaper, David, cat, she tries to say kitty, oh - outisde I wasn't sure if she said "dog" or "Bob" (the dog's name), she says duck and quack, Mama & Dada of course, and there's probably more, but my head's too foggy. She amazes me, seems like she's always coming up with something new!

OH - this morning she said "AB". Yep, A-B. So I sang the ABC song & she danced around just as happy as she could be! She's so adorable!

And she has 7 teeth, now! And is crawling pretty good... especially when there's a cat she could crawl to!

I felt pretty terrible today, David's under the weather, too. Please pray for us to feel better, and for protection for Elizabeth and the rest of the household to not get sick, too. I'm going to the doctor tomorrow morning.

Ouch! It's a tooth!

Elizabeth had her 8-month check-up yesterday. When the doctor leaned her back and put the cold stethoscope on her chest, she began to cry. That's when I saw it... a little slit in her front lower gums with a hint of white peeking out... Elizabeth's First Tooth!

I know, you still can't see it in that picture, but that's as good as it gets for now. I made sure Grandma saw it this morning before they left for California. We'll see how it looks when they get back.

Anyway, Elizabeth weighed in at 15.1 pounds and 26 inches long. That puts her between the 50th & 25th percentile lines on the chart, but in proportion. Her head circumference was above the 50th percentile. And just as last time, the doctor thought E's lower weight was a problem. I could understand if she was down in the 5th percentile or something. I think I'm going to start looking for a new doctor for Elizabeth's year check-up; I just don't have the confidence in this doctor that I think I should have. Elizabeth is happy, healthy and growing. She is alert, sitting, inquisitive, and has done a lot of developmental steps that David didn't accomplish until much later. She even mimics word sounds and is starting to pick up on some signs.

And even though she obviously loves Dad - she still said Mama before she said Dadada! : )

Don't miss my gDiaper Giveaway this week!