Twelve Months of Bliss

Lyla,

It turns out this past year you have been the teacher and Mommy and Daddy have been the students.  We'd like to think we have taught you a few things but none can measure up to the profound lessons you have taught us.  Having you has been life changing in a  way only parents can understand.  Here is just the tip of the iceberg of how my mindset has changed because of you.

-It's okay to make a mess once in a while. No explanation needed really.

-Stop and smell the roses .Although this is an old saying, it never really hits home until you have a child of your own.  Having a baby makes time fly by at the speed of light.  Before you know it, they are no longer babies.  Stop and savor each moment with your child as it were your last.  They change so very fast and you may miss something if you blink.

-Smile more.  Lyla, your smile is so contagious.  Everyone who knows you, knows your smile.  Just one from you can turn my day around.  I try to make a mental note of that every day and TRY to smile as often as possible.  You never know, I could just make someone's day a little better as well!

-Love unconditionally.   

-Try to find the positive in everything you do.  Babies take joy in almost everything.  Sometimes I tend to go through the day like it is a chore, dreading the next thing I have on my to do list .  My goal now is to approach everything I do with a positive mind set and to be thankful that I am able to do all those things.
The list goes on forever but my time here is limited.  These past twelve months have been a blessing and we are so thankful for you--you make us want to be better people.

What are you doing nowadays?
-you are standing like a champ but not walking yet (you try though)
-you say momma, Matt, Bear, baba, Duh (which I think is Debbie), and all kinds of other jibberish
-your favorite foods (that we let you eat) are yogurt, squash, spinach, sweet potatoes, and any kind of fruit
-your favorite toys are your Look and See Music Player Thingy, your BIG bunny that Daddy (or Matt) got you, books (mainly the cardboard ones because you like to eat them), your baby doll with the blinky eyes, and your xylophone
-cute things you're doing:  you like to boogy--you bend your legs and bend over at the waist and shake it, you shake your head back and forth like you're saying no but really, you're just tickled pink, you crawl away from Mommy or Daddy like you want us to chase you and get really excited when we catch you, you bob your head to the music in the car, and you nuzzle your head sideways into your shoulder and smile real big just for fun
-changes:  no more pacifier as of yesterday, cow's milk as of Monday--you're taking it all in stride