My Baby Turned One

My Sweet Little Ari,

It is amazing how quickly this past year has gone!  It seems like just yesterday I was arriving at the hospital to have you  - I can still recall so vividly the details of your birth.  The first time I got to see you and hold you and snuggle you, you melted my heart – all 9 pounds 5 ounces of you.  My heart still melts whenever I am in your presence.

Your belly laugh is infectious!  Whenever you start giggling your siblings come running to share in your joy.

You pull yourself to standing all the time now and you are just starting to figure out how to cruise.  Gravity is also something you are learning about and your poor forehead shows it.  At times you get too adventurous for your own good.

You have 8 teeth and finally you are starting to get a bit braver in trying new table foods.  You still have a preference for  puréed foods, but I am slowly getting you to branch out by adding different textures to the mix.  You also like thin apple slices, cheese cubes, graham crackers and cereal bars.

You definitely aren’t fond of birthday cake. In fact when we tried to put some in your mouth, you got a huge pout on your face and burst into tears. You did enjoy sucking the frosting off your fork and even though the ice cream was super cold, you did eat a few bites.

However, for the life of me I still can’t get you to drink milk.  Hopefully you will figure it out soon because I am in the process of weaning you and your doctor was a bit surprised today to see your weight stagnant since your 9 month appointment.  I have never had to take a child back for a weight check, but there is a first for everything.  I am not overly concerned because you are much more active these days and you were sick the entire month of April.

23 lbs 8 ounces in weight (50th percentile down from the 90th)
32 inches in length (95th percentile)
19 3/4 inches for head circumference (95th percentile)

You love to babble, though you aren’t quite saying words yet.  You adore interacting and socializing with your siblings, your parents, and really anybody.  If you hear our voices from the other room, you quickly crawl to come find us.  You also have a 6th sense for when Daddy gets home from work.  You thoroughly enjoy spending some time with him when he first walks in the door.

You have a passion for banging and drumming on things.   It’s fun to see you crawl with a purpose. Often times you will find your toy drum and then you will crawl to get a drum stick or a suitable substitute and drum and bounce to the rhythm of your music.  It doesn’t surprise me that you also like to dance and be sung to.

You are an excellent mess maker and toy bin dumper.  You like to read/eat books.  You enjoy pushing cars along the floor while you crawl and you are quite diligent in looking for things we take away.  The perfect example is from your birthday. You were much more interested in the camcorder power cord than in opening your presents!

Despite the feeding and sleeping challenges you give me, I feel incredibly blessed to be your mother.  My love for you runs deep.  I am eternally grateful the Lord blessed me with you.  And that He also blessed me with your brothers and sister and father.

Happy first Birthday my sweet baby!

Thank you for bringing so much joy to my life!  Your snuggles and cheery smiles are the best medicine for any ailment!

Much Love Always and Forever,
Mommy

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