Gracie Lu is ONE!

one year?  really?  

wasn't it just yesterday that i picked you up out of your bassinet and you curled your fists and scrunched up your chubby legs?  

didn't i just swaddle you up so tightly and watch you fall asleep in my arms?  

wasn't it just the other day when i would smell your soft head and rub your fuzzy cheeks?  

i don't know, i could have sworn it was just a few days ago...

maybe when i wake up tomorrow you will be that tiny, grunty, wrinkly little baby again.  

or maybe i will just wake up to your happy talking and walk into your room to be greeted by your big huge smile popping up over the crib.  

that would be great too cause I love that.  

i love that you smile so big your eyes close up.  sometimes they do that when you cry too.

i love how you dance by rocking your body front and back or bouncing up and down on your knees anytime you hear music or even when you hear a sound like the dishwasher running or toilet flushing.

i love how you clap and get so proud of yourself.  you even clap after every single bite of food that i spoon into your mouth.

i love when you talk and talk and talk really loud, even when we are in a meeting and daddy has to take you out into that hall.

i love that sometimes, you get so excited when you crawl that your legs slip out from under you.

i love that you give kisses by opening your mouth and leaning forward to anyone who is asking.

i love that you look just like your brother and that he is your favorite person, even when he is probably the roughest with you.

i love that when you see your daddy after you haven't seen him all day you can't take your eyes off of him.  you will smile and stare at him until he comes to pick you up.

i love that you love strawberries, avocados, and yogurt just as much as i do.

i love that you will sit with your sister and let her read books to you a lot longer than you will let me read to you.

i love that when daddy throws you up in the air you giggle so hard it makes you get the hiccups.

i love that wherever we are in the house, if we say "gracie, where are you?" you will come find us.

i love how you freak out if we don't share our ice cream with you fast enough for your liking.

i love that you get stuck under the table or barstools every day and when you do your brother always says "is my little girl stuck again?  is she?  is she?" in his really high pitched talking to gracie voice.

i love that when we get you ready for your bath, you get so excited and start kicking your legs really fast.

i love your big blue eyes, your dark long eyelashes, your chubby hands and feet, and rolly-polly legs.

and i really love that when you are really tired or sad, i am the one you are looking for.

we love you gracie lulu.  

you are such a joy to have in our family.  

happy first birthday.