We've made it! A whole year. Can you believe it? I know I can't, but here we are. What has happened to this year? I feel like I've looked down and then back up again and here we are. It's like one day you're coming home from the hospital, the next you're rolling over, then sitting up. Eating food, crawling, walking and now we're here and you're technically a toddler (just so you know, you'll always be my baby). But somehow we've survived it.
You are just the sweetest little thing. You are a cuddle bug when you're sleepy, but on the move whenever you're awake. I love that when I lay you down in your crib at night and cover you with a blanket, you always take your left arm and stick it outside the blanket, the rest of you cozied up underneath all warm. When we're rocking to sleep, you see our shadows on the wall from the night light and you wave "bye bye" to them as you nod off.
You're officially a walker now, on the go, almost running everywhere. You love dolls and stuffed animals, when you're presented with one, you give it the biggest squeeze and a hug. You like your toys, but you LOVE your brother's. Cars and dinosaurs are some of your favorites.
I still have to be the one to get you to sleep, but you're coming around to your old dad. When he comes through the door you run, laughing at him. You want to hug him and have him swoop you up in his arms. You like to harrass Luke a little. You get into everything that he's playing with, even if he wants to be left alone. He may be irritated, but he's always hugging on you, talking about "his baby" and just how much he loves you.
You still LOVE food. Anything and everything. You've had mushrooms and lentils and feta cheese and everything in between. This week we ended formula and bottles and unlike Luke, this was no big deal. You haven't even noticed today that there were no bottles. You didn't cry for it and you transitioned to whole milk without shedding one single tear.
Speaking of, I try so hard not to do this, but it's so terribly hard to do. I try to keep from comparing you to Luke. You are two individuals, yes siblings, but with completely different personalities. Honestly, you're the ying to Lucas' yang. While he is boisterous and outgoing, you are shy and serious. He eats hardly anything and you consume everything. And while you two are so very different, boy, do you love each other immensly. Sometimes I think you prefer him to anyone else. So much so that we moved his seat next to yours in Daddy's truck so that you remain happier on trips. He feeds you, gets diapers for you, hugs you constantly. Yesterday at his Christmas program, he couldn't stop exclaiming that Baby had come to see him! Please love him forever. When daddy and I are gone, he will be your family and your friend. He will be the one you share your childhood with and that's a bond you'll never lose.
The first year is always hard. We're learning what you like, and you're learning about us. Things are scary for you and mom and dad are tired and worn down. But there are the sweetest moments, the ones I will miss. You laying your head on me, needing me for everything. Your first steps, first words. Your tiny little hands and feet which keep growing. The baby coos and sighs. It's a hard transition for me to see you to grow into a toddler, but it's also so much fun. You're personality grows with every day and you laugh deep belly laughs when you find something funny.
Oh, dear Charlie. You have brightened our lives immensley. Your sweet soul is one of the best additions to our family and I'm so glad you've been here with us these last 365 days.
I love you forever and always,
Mama
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