12 Months

Well, little Ms.Squish, not sure how we're here already, but we are now a baby-less home because we have a...ONE YEAR OLD! We have loved this twelfth month with you...

• (Official weight coming soon). You are still in size 3 diapers and 12 month clothes.
• Sleep schedule is still pretty similar. You wake for the day anywhere between around 7-8:30, until naptime anywhere between 11 and 1. You get one decent 2-3 hour nap or the occasional two short cat naps. Bedtime is usually around 8:00 now, after your brothers are asleep. You still wake once a night, but no long need to nurse to go back to sleep. You and Daddy have been enjoying some middle-of-the-night-bonding time this month, while Mommy is catching up on 12 months worth of sleep.This week, you have slept through the night 3 different nights.
• You are love to feed yourself...with spoons and forks too. You are somewhat of a picky eater, and don't love your fruits and veggies so much. But carbs and treats, bring it on! Oops - you may have gotten that trait from your momma, sorry sister! (You had a taste of ice cream this month and it was an instant love connection!) 
• We have cut back on nursing the past week or two. After a brutal injury involving four very sharp teeth, it seemed like it might be time to start the weening process. You still nurse in the morning, before bed, and sometimes in the middle of the night. This has been a good transition though. You have started using sippy cups this month and haven't missed your bottle once. We have also stopped heating up breast milk, and giving it to you cold, as you prepare to transition to whole milk soon.
• We feel like you are on the cusp of a language explosion. You are grunting and making new noises when you don't have the words or signs for it. You also are pointing even more to express what you want. You are also signing like crazy this month. You have learned "please" gets you what you want, so you assume, "I just have to sign and I'll get whatever I want." Taking you through the store the other day, you would point to just about everything you saw and signed "please" to me. 
• The tooth count is still 4 - two top and two bottom. 
• You are a climbing machine - steps (when the gate opens up), step stools, bar stools, attempting to climb on couches. If it's in reach, you will climb it!
• You give the best hugs - with your tiny arms wrapped all the way around our necks with the sweetest little squeezes. You are very affectionate and will seek hugs from all. When every I am down on the floor, you immediately come over, turn yourself around, and back into my lap for extra loving. 

One year later and we are still so thankful for you! You are so incredibly content and happy. Your sparkly eyes light up the room. You were the final piece to this family, Ms. Charleigh Jo. We are so blessed that you are our's and that we get to watch you tackle this great big world. I have a feeling you will do incredible things, Little Jo, and I can't wait to watch your story unfold.