I can't believe my sweet baby turned 1 ten days ago. What a year it has been. It seems like only yesterday I was enjoying those many sleepless nights... Oh wait, that was only yesterday. Maris I have had a wonderful year with you. I have to say, you gave me a run for my money with your sleep issues though. You have only started sleeping well in the last couple of weeks. Your daddy and I decided to "sleep train" you after you turned a year. Really your daddy has been pushing for it for months but I wanted to give you some more time. I just couldn't handle you screaming (incredibly loudly) for me at night. We let your brother cry it out when he was still small but he was always a good sleeper. You have given me a fit about sleeping since you were 3 weeks old. It has been several months since we tried to get you to sleep against your will so I told your Daddy I would go for it last night. You were still getting up twice a night as of your first birthday (a great improvement from your 4-5 times a night when we first moved to Georgia). We (well I since your dad was ready to let your cry the whole night if needed) decided to let your cry for 10 minutes after you woke and if you didn't settle back down I'd get up and nurse you. Well I'll be damned if you didn't fuss for 5 minutes one time and slept straight til 8:30 the next morning. You were apparently finally ready to sleep. I sure hope you continue this in the future. Despite my joy over your sleeping, I am already feeling nostalgic for those middle of the night cuddle moments after you fell asleep nursing. You are growing so fast and I still want to hold on to your infancy.
Another big year accomplishment was you started walking the day before your birthday. You have been standing on your own since you were 9 months and taking a few steps since 10 months but you seemed to lack any interest in doing it consistently. I have been saying since you started standing that you will walk by your first birthday but I was starting to have my doubts the week before hand. The day before your birthday you decided you wanted to be a big girl and gave up crawling. You have been walking every since. Again, I miss your crawl. I miss you running your head into my legs to get me to pick you up. Its hard to believe that in just a little bit of time I will hardly remember your crawl. I will just remember that at one point that was the way you got around, but it will soon be second nature for you to be walking. Along with walking you have gained a lot of confidence and independence. Prior to those steps you needed me by your side all day. You were scared of strangers and all new situations. Let me just tell you that I have to chase you down now because you are causing all kind of mischief. You have destroyed several rolls of toilet paper, have learned how to climb in the tub (muddy feet and all), love to play in the toilet (are you catching your love of all things bathroom going on here), have tried to jump in the pool by yourself, and much much more. You luckily have a great big brother who keeps an eye out for your when I am not. I always get Maris reports of what you are up to at the moment.
Your final birthday milestone is you are cutting 4 teeth!!! Four at one time Maris. One day when you have kids of your own you will know what torture that is. You have been snotty, cranky, and especially snuggly and cuddly for your mama. Really the worst was over after the first 3 days. Now you just have the snot thing going on since 2 of those teeth have yet to cut through the gums.
So Maris, those are your most recent achievements. I want to remember every single one of them every moment of my life. I want to remember every sleepless night, every step, and every time I have to wipe your nose. Every moment with you has been precious and I am blessed to be your mother. I love you with all of my heart and look forward to the many more years to come.
And this post is long enough for one night so I will have to save the rest for later. Also pictures to come when I actually get around to uploading everything. I will post a few of my older ones for now.
First time at the Beach! Loved playing in the sand.
Loves climbing in and out of her chair.
Easter with Auntie Bridgette
