52 Weeks

My birthday is on FRIDAY! I am almost 365 days old. That's a lot of days old!

So much has happened since I last posted!

• Mommy and daddy were going to go to a marriage conference called Weekend to Remember and stay in a nice hotel for two nights two weeks ago, but I suddenly stopped sleeping through the night and couldn't be away from mommy so they postponed their getaway. Coming off my first and only ear infection has been just a bit of a transition for all of us. I will admit that I really haven't been acting like my sweet self, and I apologize for that. You'd be sassy too if your ears hurt and you were cutting teeth and going through growth spurts. Thankfully I'm mostly back to my old ways.

*** UPDATE ***
I didn't have such a great night last night, and then got sent home from daycare this morning. Daddy wasn't feeling well either so "thankfully" he was home sick today and could come and pick me up from Miss Kathy's. The doctor confirmed double ear infection. So another 10-day round of antibiotics we go! Mommy and daddy yawn a lot so I think they really want me to go back to my old sleeping ways. I'll see what I can do.

• Crying when dropped off at the nursery has become a regular occurrence. Mommy and daddy were hoping it was a one time fluke, but I've demonstrated the true signs of separation anxiety enough for them to know that's not the case. I'm right on target developmentally so they should just be happy! 

Thankfully I don't cry when dropped off at Miss Kathy's. In fact, I can't WAIT to play with my friends and rarely even acknowledge mommy leaving.

• Here's a trick I learned...if you cry and hold out your arms to the opposite parent not holding you at the time, it'll melt their heart and you won't have to go to bed.

• I used to love swings, but now they make me cry. Too fast and high and scary. I'd rather be held and watch other kids on them. Thank you.

• I wave, clap my hands, know how to "shake, shake, rattle, rattle,"  give high fives, and sometimes even "wink." 

• Some of my favorite past times include building tall towers, playing tag, reading books with daddy, knocking down tall towers, watching funny videos, going up and down and up and down the stairs, dancing, getting into things I shouldn't, being outside, and playing with my friends.

• I've started walking behind my walker and thought my big cousin Brooke's grocery shopping cart was reeeeeally cool, but no steps on my own yet! I only stand on my own for a few seconds and then plop down on my bottom. Daddy says I need more confidence, but I crawl fast enough to get where ever I want to go, so I don't really see the need to walk. Just you try and catch me!

• I went to the Como Zoo for the very first time with mommy and some other people from her old Mommy & Me class. I had no idea I'd have so much fun! She wore me in the carrier the entire time, which I love (I haven't decided how I feel about my new stroller...), AND I got to see monkeys, giraffes, otters, bears, a gorilla, and a zebra up close and personal since they were all inside due to weather. It was one of the best times ever! Cats and dogs still make me giddy, but monkeys are now right up there as well.

• In the biggest news of all, I had a BIG birthday party last Sunday! Almost my entire family was there, which was really special. Mommy worked really hard to make it special for me, so I tried to be on my best behavior. They even let me eat CAKE - can you believe it?! It was good, but sticky.

You should see all the presents I got - bath toys and summer clothes and dresses galore! I'll be the best dressed baby on the block. What means the most though is being surrounded by people who love me.
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Well, that wraps up my year in bi-weekly updates. I hope you've enjoyed getting to know me and staying updated on my life. I think I've come a long ways in the last year, don't you? I can't believe all I ever used to do is just lay there and sleep all the time. There is just so much to see and do! I really have a lot to be thankful for. Mommy and daddy always say they don't know what they'd do without me...I don't blame them - I'm pretty outstanding! Even when I'm sassy, I'm cute.

I'll update every once in awhile, so check back often. Until next time, be blessed.

Much love,
Gwendolyn