Turning 1

Dear Baby,

Oh my girl, I cannot get enough of your sweetness. I love your perfect self. As you'll come to discover I am slow blogging about birthdays. I'm sorry this is my normal. 

You turned one on Thanksgiving day and we had some special company here to celebrate your life. Grandma and Grandpa Patton, plus Little Grandpa participated in your party. They sure love you. You are nervous around anyone who is not in your immediate family so it takes awhile to warm up. Little Grandpa somehow bypasses your anxieties though. He has that kind of magic with all children. I think kids just feel how much he loves them.

On your birthday you felt horrible. You have a very mature mouth and starting getting teeth at three months old. By your first birthday you were growing molars. Ouch. Your gums were tender which didn't make you too enthusiastic about your birthday cake, but you aren't one to say no to sugar. We purchased a pinata for your siblings to destroy in your honor, but we held off until the next evening in hopes you'd feel better. Little C used a swimming noodle as a joke so everyone would have an opportunity to swing. (For some reason Lou isn't pictured below hitting the pinata - sorry dude.)  

Baby girl, thanks for coming to our home. You're just a hilarious little person. You communicate so well and your favorite name to shout is your older sister's. You didn't learn how to walk until about 13 months which is normal in this family. About a month ago Daddy taught you how to crawl up and down the stairs, and you perform like a champ. You prefer eating with a fork which makes dinner time a little messy but I just think you're so bright. Such a smart little girl. I'm still nursing you which should end soon, but I can't quite let my baby go. You tug on my shirt when you're hungry which I used to view as horrifying in other families, but now I'm like - she's a freaking genius. :) Haha! 

You've been saying Dad's name forever which brings him extreme joy. You didn't say my name for a loonnggg time, but finally you did and now you won't stop.I soak it up majorly. I love hearing my name on your lips. 

You love all of your siblings, but it's obvious you run the show, except with maybe your sister. She's Diva #1 and it's possible we're raising you to be Diva #2.   

You generously give high fives and bones out to those you know. You are bowlegged like your dad and watching you two walk beside each other is a hoot.

Your brothers take turns getting you out of bed and they're great caregivers. Sometimes during sacrament meeting you sit peacefully on Little C's lap, rummaging through his phone and other knicknacks. 

You love to sing at the top of your lungs and belt out "Let it Go" with Sweetrotten. Music speaks to you. It has since you were tiny tiny. When you were only a few months old Daddy and I couldn't get you to sleep. You wouldn't calm down. During a sleep deprived moment I asked Dad to pull up a Pantera song on his phone. He turned it on and as I sang the lyrics to "Walk" you slowly fell asleep. That's hard core my dear. So, probably not the best parenting moment but it worked. Also, I advise not turning to metal in your moment of need... but sometimes it gets the job done.

You are destined for great things. I can feel it. You are special and I couldn't love you more. Heavenly Father has great things in store for you my girl. Stay true to Him and His ways because there are many lives you can bless. You have already blessed so many during your short time on earth.

Love you forever,

Mom  

More recent photos: 

Posing to the side like her sister. :)

Birthday Celebration

Here comes the cupcake!

I blew it out for you because you weren't quite sure what to do. 

Um, my gums hurt.

But, I like me some cupcake!

Pinata in the garage: 

Ruckus

Moo

Sweetrotten

She's going to town!

Little C with his swimming noodle. :) 

"I'm feeling a little better picture."

"Let me take a selfie."

Opening presents:

And Sweetrotten slept through most of it.

We love you! Happy first birthday sweetheart!