Happy 2007!

Happy New Year! You know what I figured out? Although you are only one-year-old, you've spanned the last four years having been around since 2004. Seems like a long time ago, huh? Well, your dad and I found out that you would be joining our family on Dec. 5, 2004 which we celebrated with a wonderful and extravagant meal at a fancy restaurant. Lucky thing we did that because we don't see those too often these days. Then of course, you grew in my tummy until August 13, 2005 when you were born. Then last year (2006), well...you grew from a cooing baby into the big girl you are right now at the beginning of 2007. I can't even begin to imagine what this year will bring.

With your dad home alone with you for three days last week, you made him very happy having eyes (and hugs) for only him. But then I came home and dad was pushed aside again. The cutest thing is when dad asks you, "Can I have a hug?" to which you reply "no, no, no." Then he asks "Can I have a kiss?" to which you again reply "no, no, no." Then sometimes he'll throw something in there to make you think twice like, "Do you want some candy?" Of course, he never produces candy so I can see why you withold your affections! You actually begin to get pretty frustrated answering our dumb questions, then look at us with a face full of disgust. We'd stop bugging you, but you are much too adorable!

You love to spin in circles until you get dizzy and fall down. I don't know where you picked it up but it sure is funny to watch. That skill comes in handy when I sing Ring Around the Rosie. You have also learned how to hold a crayon, marker or pen correctly - not with your entire fist wrapped around it. I thought you'd have to be much bigger to do that, but you draw with unbelievable control now. You are a very good singer, too. We sing a lot. We have a monsters/Big Bird CD in the van that you like, especially when Big Bird sings 'Sing', that song from Sesame Street. A lot of the words you sing with the correct sounds and hold the notes for the appropriate amount of time. Also, you've been trying to jump, but your little body doesn't get off the ground. So you bend your knees and dad and I help you jump which makes you laugh. Lots of things make you laugh which is so wonderful after you didn't laugh except that one time when you were four months old until you were about 13 months old. Fake or not, at least you love laughing.

You are very sensitive with other's feelings. Even drawings... Dad drew a crying baby and you were very concerned so we had to shhhhush and pat the baby. (Unfortunately the drawing didn't get happy.) And when your babies cry, you hug them SO tight that your fingers turn white and you bounce them and rock them. All of your plush friends are very well cared for with lots of hugs, usually there's about three or four in your arms at a time.

Well, we are going to Nana's for supper tonight. She tells us it's tradition to have ham on New Year's day even though I don't ever remember it. So that's what we are doing. After today though, it's back to normal with eating. I've been full for three weeks and you've been basking in the junk. (Actually, you ate three meatballs the other night because they had sweet and sour sauce on them. I think that is the most meat you've even consumed - in total.) You've got your mom and dad's sweet tooth - but that's okay since you are why sweets must have been invented!