Wow what a month baby girl! This month is Mommy's birthday (December 2). Daddy cooked and amazing meal, but you couldn't eat any of it yet. You say Mama and Dada all the time. You know exactly who we are. We've never doubted that for a second baby girl, but it is so nice to get called by name now. I usually get my name called when you are upset or want something. You know who other family members are as well. When you reach for us, it is the best feeling in the world.
Your uncle Frank came to visit this month and we had so much fun. We took you Christmas shopping, to lunch, then came home and played with you. The most exciting thing happened....YOU STOOD UP ALL BY YOURSELF! We thought you were going to take your first steps then, but you just kept sitting down and standing up. We caught it on video!! Your uncle Frank was so excited! Dada was so excited too when he got home from work and you did it again!
You still have about four bottles a day, but you love to snack and eat your three meals for the day! You can be picky with your food. Daddy says that doesn't surpise him, because I am a picky eater too. You take one to two naps during the day now. You will usually put yourself to sleep for nap time. I don't get to actually rock you to sleep very much, because you prefer to just put yourself to sleep and you will kick and scream when we try and hold you the way we used too. This just reminds us of how big you are getting and how independent you are becoming with certain things.
December 6-10 we spent that time in Asheville, NC with Aunt Sue, Kayla, Courtney, and your great grandparents. They babysat you the 8th-10th while daddy and I were on trip for his company to the Biltmore Estate. We had a very nice time having alone time, but we missed you the entire time we were away. Aunt Sue, Courtney, Kayla, and your great grandparents enjoyed spending time with you and said you did wonderful!
Unfortunately, you got sick again the week of Christmas with a bad respiratory infection. You were coughing, wheezing, and having a little trouble breathing. I took you to the pediatrician and he also told me you had two ear infections. We had to do breathing treatments every four hours the first couple of days. You did not like those very much. We ended up going to Rock Hill, SC to see nana, papa lew, and grandpa's side of the family. Your first Christmas was perfect. You started feeling so much better and enjoyed spending time with family. We all had a blast watching you play with all of your new toys! That Saturday, we spent all day with Grandpa's side of the family along with Aunt Kari and Uncle Brandon. It turned out to be a great day, even though it was really tough not having your Grandpa Tom there. I know he would have just looked at you and felt so much joy! That's how he was every time he was with you. You brought such a HUGE smile to his face.
I can't help but reflect on this entire year and what it has brought us. The biggest blessing of all was God giving us you, little angel. You will never know or understand the amount of joy, laughter, and happiness you have brought to our lives. While there has been a lot of heartache this year, my heart is filled with the promises of God and I know that he will never abandon or forsake us. Trials, tribulations, and loss will happen baby girl, but God is the one that will help you through it. We still have many hard days. We miss my granny and your grandpa Tom so very much. They would be so proud of all of us. We've been so blessed this year and I truly cannot wait to see what the furture holds. God has big plans for you baby girl.
We love you with all our hearts
