A Year of Joy

Today is my baby's first birthday! I can hardly believe it. It has been one wild and wonderful year of learning, loving, laughing, and living. She is truly a joy, and I can't imagine my life without her. Children remind you of the sheer awesomeness of our Lord. He has created her, and I have watched her grow from a little peanut in the womb to a giggling little lady. Amazing. Through all the learnings of new parents, God has guided us and carried us through. People are always asking for "proof" that God exists. I would argue that a baby is his proof. There's just no other way to explain it.

Nana and Grandpa Moss sent her a little tykes scooter she can either sit on and move with her feet, or stand and push. We assembled it last night and put her on it. Within 5 minutes, she had it figured out and was scooting across the floor shrieking with delight. It made her look so BIG! For me, it is bitter sweet. I am so blessed to have a healthy baby girl that is thriving and growing into a beautiful child, but at the same time I know that the "baby" is gone. Each stage has it's joys and pains, so I will try my best to focus on the joys, enjoy the moments, and not harp on the pains.

For some reason being a "mom" is starting to hit me, too. It may just be me, but it makes me feel older and more momish now that she isn't an infant. I'm a little crazy sometimes, though. :)

Natalie Shea is up to all sorts of things at one year:

*She can walk with assistance, but isn't confident to do it on her own just yet. Crawling is still the preferred mode of travel. Unless, she can hold on to the laundry basket and push it across the floor.
*The kid has a mouth full of teeth. It's hard to tell, but she has at least 12, if not more. Four in the front on top and bottom, and a back one on each side, top and bottom. Everyone says she'll be ready for steak soon.
*She has never been a very verbal child, but she is beginning to say a few words and shriek on occasion when she gets excited. Right now she can say:
Charles(our cat)- "Chus"
Cat(Bella our other cat) - "Cat"
Shoe - "Sha", Sock - "Soh"
Picture - "Pi-cha"
Mama - "Mama"
Dad - "Dat"
She also says things we aren't sure what she is saying. I'm sure that will be the case for a while. :)
*Size: She is roughly 20lbs and wears size 12 clothes and size 4 shoes. I don't think she's grown much at all since her 9 mo. appointment, but the pediatrician said that is to be expected. Based on how her growth is charting so far, he predicts she is going to end up in the 25% range. She has her next appointment on Monday.
*Her hair is growing, but isn't quite long enough to put in a pony tail or pig tails. Bows have to do for now - when she will leave them in.
*She is AWESOME in church, for which I am very thankful and will enjoy for as long as it lasts.
*She is now down to only one mommy feeding (bed time), which will soon be coming to an end. :( Other than that, she has completely transitioned to whole milk and is doing great with it.
*Natalie is a fabulous eater. She eats her veggies and fruit like there is no tomorrow. She can eat an entire banana in one sitting! She is still not too partial to meat or eggs, but as of the last few days, she might be warming up to them. I'll keep trying.
*She is fussy when it comes to getting her diaper changed and makes it a workout for mommy and daddy. When she was really tiny she LOVED the changing pad, now she acts like we are laying her on a bed of hot coals. Silly bean.
*She has learned how to slide off the couch by herself.
*She loves to flail around on beds and couches and throw herself into pillows. It's fun to watch.
*She is a great sleeper at night. Rarely does she wake up in the middle of the night, and if she does, she goes back down within minutes. She has never been a big napper and usually takes only one in the afternoon. It ranges from 30 minutes to an hour.
*When it comes to playing, she is at the putting things into other things and taking them out stage, as well as the throwing stage.
*She still likes books, but her attention span for them has shortened considerably. Before, she would sit and listen to 5 or 6 books before she was on to something else. Now, you can get through maybe one if you are lucky.
*Natalie LOVES animals (video of meeting Uncle Bill's horses to come soon). She gets so excited and waves her arms around. Any cat, dog, squirrel, horse, you name it, and she goes after it fearless. We are going to go to the Zoo in Tampa for Nick's birthday at the beginning of December. I am sure it will be a fun time for all of us. I can't wait to see her reaction to it all. :)

Needless to say I love her more than words can say. I pray that Christ will continue to bless her and be with her, bless Nick and I as parents, and help us all to grow in love for him and one another as a family.

Happy Birthday my sweet sweet girl.