11 Months Old

Sweet Lucy Mills,

Where has this year gone? I can't believe a month from today you will turn one. You have changed our lives for the better and now I can't imagine being without you. Look how far we've come in just 11 months.

Your first week of life started out like this...

And here you are today - just as happy and healthy as ever.

For the sake of our monthly tradition I am still taking your picture with your bear. Although by the looks of it I can tell you are over these trivial poses...

Thank you for putting up with me Punky.

And at least having a sense of humor...

As you can see your top two front teeth came in last week while we were at the beach. Lets just say you were not in the greatest mood and we are so happy that you are back to your usual pleasant self now.

At 11 months old you still love to clap your hands and a big smile comes across your face whenever we ask you to clap. It's precious.

Your newest trick is waving bye - bye. You are so proud of yourself when those little hands start waving...even though you have only mastered waving at yourself. We love it and are not ready to correct you!

Daddy is still your best bud...

Well other than this guy...

Lucy Mills you LOVE stuffed animals. Before you were born I remember friends telling me to be careful what toys I allowed you to sleep with and become attached to. For a while we didn't put anything to bed with you. Then I eventually started giving you Loveys, and pretty dolls, and even monogrammed blankets. You never seemed to fond of any of them, and then you discovered stuffed animals. In this picture you are kissing "Lindsay" who was my puppy when I was a little girl. Lindsay is still in good condition and it has been love at first sight for you two. Whenever you get one of your stuffed animals in hand you immediately hug it tight then bite/kiss its nose. When Grandmother was in town she showed you a pink puppy animal while we were strolling through Dillards one day. Had she only known the hysterical meltdown that would occur when we tried to claw your arms off the pup! Neither of us could bear the utter sadness you were experiencing so Pink Puppy came home with us that day. Now every time you go night night you hold both your puppies, lay your head on one of them while sucking your thumb. You haven't cried at bedtime since! Wish I had discovered that trick months ago!

Today I pulled a little lamb rattle off your toy shelf and you were so excited for a new animal. Guess we know what to get you for your birthday?!

One of my favorite times of the day is in the morning before Daddy has to leave for work. You are usually in a happy mood when you wake up, and you just want to be with us. After breakfast you and Daddy have guitar time. When you were a small baby you would just sit there and watch Daddy, but now you are a girl on the go. You had us laughing this morning when you discovered Daddy's hat...

"I can hang with the boys too Mom."

My darling girl, you are more beautiful than words can describe. I am trying to hold tight to every moment that comes until you turn one. You have been the best baby sweet one. Please stop growing up so fast!