1 MONTH 'TIL 1 YEAR...

a11 months ago today adelaide made her big debut into the world. just 1 month from now we will be the parents of a 1 year old. i simply can't wrap my mind around this. i have spent most of her nap time today looking at pictures of the last 11 months, just staring and being a sappy mom. she has grown and changed in so many ways, and yet as i look at these newborn pics of my precious girl i can see certain elements of her personality have always been present.

THE CRY

she absoulutely hated her first bath in the hospital. she screamed the entire time. she's learned to love bath time since then, but her mouth still looks just like this whenever she does cry. i saw it yesterday when a grocery store cashier came up to her with reindeer antlers on. she panicked, made this same pitiful face, then wailed. it breaks my heart every time. she is such a happy baby but there are a few things you know will bring out the tears- 1) being startled by a stranger 2) having to wait for a bottle or food 3) anything new she is unsure about.

THE THUMB

oh that sweet thumb. the teacher in me used to cringe each time she sucked it. i worried how we would ever break this habit before she goes to school. what if other kids make fun of her? what if her teeth get messed up? and while i'm sure it won't be easy when that day comes, for now i love it. it is such a signature "adelaide" thing to me. i love the way it tells me when she is sleepy. i love the way she is now preferential and will only suck her right thumb. i love how she "guards" her thumb while sucking it and holds it in place with her left hand.

THE SASS

miss priss looks at me with those big blue eyes and i can't help but smile. the girl certainly has personality. she knows just how to charm any room. she used to do it simply with her squeaks, coos, and stares. now she performs like it's her job and keeps us laughing everyday. i love seeing this girl's sassy faces and sweet faces alike. i could stare at those chubby cheeks forever.

THE LOVE

what a bundle of love adelaide is and always has been! i used to pick her up in my arms so carefully. she had to be patient while i learned her favorite ways to be held and just how to make her comfortable. i would stare at her and wonder how it was possible to already love her so much. then she would snuggle close and i could feel her love too. nowadays i scoop her onto my hip without a second thought of how to do it. i love having her with me as i move throughout the day. i love how her feet wiggle each time she gets excited. i love the way her eyes look up at me with that pure love. and i can't help but tell her for the millionth time how i will always love her.