Happy First Birthday Emily Rose

My Dearest Emily Rose, Oh how the year has flown by. It was such a magnificent year but one that went by all too quickly. You have grown so much and learned so quickly. I am amazed at all you do and who you are.

(Emily Rose - 12 Months Old)

You are as mobile as they come. You began walking and then went straight to running! You love to chase Izabel around the house and be chased. You are very quick on your feet! In the last couple of weeks you have began jumping and although you have only lifted both feet off the ground a handful of times, this is a big milestone. Yay! You love the freedom that walking has brought you. You've also began climbing on everything! Your most favorite thing to climb on is Izabel's bed. You are so proud to sit up there and watch TV or play with your babies. You can also climb onto the couch, in the toy box, in a laundry basket and anything and everything that allows you to be higher than you were. Including climbing up on your chair and standing!

(Emily with her new telephone; calling Nanny and Opa.)

Princess Emmy, you are as verbal as ever! You've always been somewhat of a loud baby girl, but now that you are making words, you love to be heard! Currently you can say: Mama, Dada, Baba, Baby, Up, Uh Oh, Sit, Done, Bye, Ball, Hot. You are very good at signing too. The Signing Time DVD's are your absolute favorite. You can sign: Hot, Baby, Time, Night, Star, Moon, Bye, Up, Milk, More, Food(Bite). You go around talking to yourself all day and screeching and making noise.

You are a very good listener as well. You follow the most basic directions with ease. Things such as "Find your baby", "Go put this away", and "Where's your baba" are all commands you respond to immediately.

(Emily looking as beautiful as ever.)

Eating is not an issue with you either. You will pretty much eat anything you are given. You especially love pasta, cheese, hamburger and marshmallows. You are still on Nutramigen formula but we have slowly been giving you whole milk. It's had it's ups and downs but I think you will be ready for whole milk soon. But we will see. You really are not a juice drinker but you love your water every now and then. If Daddy or I have a cup, you must drink from it for some reason. You are very good at drinking from a cup and favor my cup, which most always has Dr. Pepper in it. It's not something we allow you to have very often though. We've been working on utensils for awhile now and you know what to do with them but you are still learning how to coordinate your hand and your mouth.

Sleeping/Napping is an easy thing to document. You do it when you are suppose to and with NO problems. You sleep a sound 12 or more hours a night and you nap at least once, if not twice a day. All I do is lay you in your bed and poof, you are asleep. Some nights it takes you 10 minutes or so, but that's it! This is one thing I am thankful you do so well!

(Emily and her new Bubble Mower. Too bad there's snow on the ground. Ha! And Daddy's in the background putting together Emily's Sing Along Stage. She loves this!)

We are so proud of who you are becoming and all the wonderful things you are learning. You bring so much joy to our lives. There is so much more I am sure I am leaving out of your birthday letter, but in time I am sure I will update the tidbits.

Things you love and squeal over right now: Cats, Baby Dolls, MOMMY, outside, cups, cars, dancing and baths!

Misc Stats: Size 9-12 Month Clothing, Size 4 shoe, 6 teeth with 2 more about to break the gum line, shows signs of be left handed, mommy's girl, stranger apprehension

You had a wonderful birthday party. Izabel wished for snow for you and low and behold, it started snowing and hasn't stopped. You received lots of goodies such as a new telephone, sing along stage, pop up toy, vacuum cleaner, clothes, bubble mower, tea set and savings bonds.

Your party consisted of Gama and Papa and two family friends. I was adventurous this year and made two cakes for your party. One for you and one for the guests. I think they turned out pretty well. I was really proud of the way yours came out and Daddy helped decorate the big one. Your cake was Devil's Food with Strawberry frosting and the big one was Red Velvet with Creme Cheese frosting.

(Emily and her Birthday Cake)

(Above: Guest Cake, Below: Emmy's Cake)

Happy First Birthday Princess Emily!!! We love you so very much and cannot wait to see what the next year holds in store for you!

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More photos will be coming to Flickr! throughout the week.