One Year Old!!!

Dear Josephine,

Today you are ONE YEAR OLD! We can't believe that it's here and that we have a one year old!

Here's what you are up to:

Oh boy! You are so fun, active, and into everything! You love to open up and explore drawers and cabinets. You are very curious! You love to go up steps. You are getting better everyday at standing, and you can stand for about 30 seconds. It won't be long before you're walking!

Your speech has taken off this past month. You make so many different sounds and noises. You're favorite word is still "Dada." You point at everything and "talk." You still love to wave and clap. One of the cutest things that you can do is show us how old you are! We'll ask you how old you are, and you'll lift up one finger! It's so cute! You're the smartest! :)

Speaking of how smart you are, you started really using some sing language recently. You know and use the signs for "eat", "all done", and "more." When you get up in the morning, you're often hungry and doing the sign for "eat."

Along with your speech development has come something else: screeching. This is not something that is very pleasant, but we know that it's just you trying to find your voice and assert your independence. The hardest thing is when you screech or shriek out in public. It is not a very nice sound, but we know that it should subside as your language continues to develop.

You seem to have had a growth spurt recently. You're eating a ton and getting bigger. You love all kinds of food. Strawberries are a favorite of yours right now, and you like some odd foods for a baby, like pickles and olives! You also love frozen peas! You've always liked peas, but you seem to really like them frozen. You're also still breastfeeding, and we're very happy that we made it to a year!

You wear mostly size 12 month clothes, but you have few size 18 months things that fit you. You wear size 4 diapers. We'll update the post with your height and weight after your 12 month appointment. You just got two new teeth on top, so now you have four on top and two on the bottom. You are teething a lot right now. It looks like you are getting more teeth on top and also your one year molars. The molars seem to be bothering you the most. Hopefully they come in fast!

We are so excited for your birthday party! We're having lots of people over to celebrate your first year of life. You are a very loved little girl!

The past year has been filled with so much joy and love. Over the past year, we have watched you grow and from a tiny newborn into a spunky, talkative, fun, and intelligent little girl. It has been such a joy to parent you and watch you grow. We have changed over the past year, too. We are more loving and silly because of you. We are more selfless and patient. You have helped us to grow in so many wonderful ways. You are such a blessing, Jojo! Thank you for being such a sweet, fun little girl!

We love you so much! Happy birthday!!!

~Mommy and Daddy