My sweet little Zellie,
I now understand the emotion tied with the phrase -They grow so fast. There couldn't be more truth wrapped into those 4 little words. I cannot accept the fact that you have just turned 1 year old. How did this year go by so quickly? It seems like just a few weeks ago your Dad and I were enjoying giving you your first bath, cuddling you on our chest and washing your bald little head. Now, you are jabbering, climbing in and out of drawers, nearly walking and you have the most beautiful head of strawberry blonde hair. How am I ever going to get use to the time moving so quickly? I don't think I ever will.
As I reflect back on this past year, I am in awe of all the magic and happiness you have brought to it. I knew when you joined our family life would be paradisaical, but it has been even beyond that. Every day as I watch you jabber in your sweet voice and crawl from room to room following me, I believe I can't be any closer to Heaven on earth than I am now. Being your Mom is the unattainable dream that came true.
You are sitting next to me in your jam jams, rolling my phone in your hands and jabbering in that angelic voice I love so much. I never grow tired of your little voice. It makes me smile like nothing else does. However, I do grow tired of your never ending desire to play with my phone. ha ha You just started putting the phone up to your ear and talking, just like your Dad and I do. At times your Dad and I think you are saying "Hello" or "Hi" but we are still unsure. It is exciting to watch you learn new things and mimic us.
You find great joy in your toys my Zellie. You love to sit with them and I can see your little wheels in your head turning as you study and look them over. You try so intently to figure them out. There is no distracting you when you have a good toy in front of you. You talk to them, laugh and seem to be transported to a whole new world. Some days as I watch you play, I laugh to myself wishing you could talk and tell me just what you are thinking as you study your toys.
When it comes to crawling, you are a a little monkey and you look like one too. :) You never let your little soft knees touch the ground. It is hilarious to watch you crawl with great speed and coordination. There is not a time I witness it and not get a grin on my face. You have always favored this method of transportation and I have never complained once. I actually think it is genius and you are the smartest baby I have ever met! You never dirty your clothes or wear out the knees. You are a mother's dream!
I'd have to say your happy place is any drawer. You absolutely live for hanging out in a drawer. You can find one anywhere and always make your Dad and I laugh when we see you determined, grunting and maneuvering to get in one. You have great drive my dear. If you want something, you will stop at nothing to get it. Nothing is too difficult for you. You will try and try and try and try and try and try and never give up. It is a valuable and desired trait. I hope you always use it to chase nothing but good. As I have gone through photos I have taken with my phone the majority of them are of you sitting and hanging out in a drawer.
My little Lady, you hate to cuddle. Your Dad and I will try to squeeze you or hug you and you want no part in it. There are places to crawl to and toys to play with, no time to hang with Mom and Dad. No matter how hard we try, you can't sit still. I am so very happy I never taught you how to hold your own bottle, even though Aunt McKayla and Uncle Mark make fun of me for it. That is the only time you will snuggle up in our laps and cuddle. I cherish it. This morning your Dad and I tried to get you to cuddle with us in bed and have a lazy family morning. You never stopped crawling up and over us and were constantly trying to slide off the side of the bed. You crack us up. Needless to say Lazy family morning didn't happen.
Books, books, books. You love your books. They are a great way to keep you entertained on our laps for a little snuggle time. As your Dad and I pull a book off the shelf you come up to us with your arms reaching up letting us know you don't want to miss out on reading. You cuddle into us and proudly help us turn the pages. You Dad and I had to make a special book run one night because we realized you were going to tear all the pages out of our books if we didn't get a good supply of nice stiff board books. I think your favorite book of all time is "Brown Bear, Brown Bear." I believe it is because you love to slide the little picture windows open and close with that cute little finger of yours. You never want any help... you want to do it all by yourself.
Changing your diaper is a two man job. Every since you were born you wiggle and wiggle and will not give up the fight. You hate to hold still. Each time I lay you down to change you, I think maybe this time you have gotten the hang of how this is supposed to go. Each time you prove me wrong. I have to say, I love it in a funny kinda a way. It is another example of that strong will you have inside of you my beautiful little lady. You never stop fighting.
Over the past several months we have been able to spend a lot of time with your cousin Maley. I have never seen such a smile on your face or a light in your eyes as when you see your cousin Moo Moo. It amazes me every time. You think she is the greatest thing in the whole world. You laugh at everything she does -even if she is rough and somewhat mean to you. She is so special to you. When you are with her, I am blown away by the connection you both have. I know Maley feels the same about you and it is so sweet.
If I could wrap up this year in words it would be something along the lines of a most perfect year of learning, loving and complete happiness. Your Dad and I are so amazed by all blessings that you have brought to us and are so grateful that you chose us to be your eternal parents. We feel it is the greatest honor and gift anyone could have received. Both of our Patriarchal Blessings mention you and your special journey here on this earth. We will spend every day of this earthly life being the best we know how to be for you my little Love. I hope you will always feel how much we love, adore and are smitten over you.
Happy first birthday my little baby Z.
You are my whole world and my love for you could fill the ocean,
Mom
