Happy Birthday to my little girl!

52 weeks + 1.... 1 YEAR OLD!!

Well, its the big day... she woke up at 4.30, came for a cuddle and we dozed until 6.30. She got up and had a play in her swing before we headed downstairs. She was incredible. I'd put up some banners and made a little pile of her presents with half a dozen balloons around them, she beamed at it all, stood looking at every single thing, pointing at it all. She spent 45 minutes chasing balloons, stacking the presents up, rearranging them. She opened 3 presents before it was time to have breakfast and get ready.

We went to Montessori this morning, it was busy but Katie was so chilled, just plodding round the tunnels, having a quick snuggle with monkey, went on the swing, did a sticking and glue picture. We had a cake for her there, the whole room sang! Katie just watched chewing her hand!

She had a sleep on the way home then we went to the play cafe for a bit of a party and lunch. We walked in and I was stunned. There was a big helium balloon, a banner and a huge pile of presents from friends. I couldn't believe it. katie soon got into the opening of presents, and got spoilt rotten. Including a baby's sledge. It's got a seat and harness, for taking them out in bad weather, rather than down hills. We had a second cake, made by a friend this time though. It was beautiful.

We headed home and Granny and Grandad arrived. Katie wasn't interested in opening presents for a while... she was enjoying climbing on them. She thought the parcel from my parents was excellent for standing/sitting/laying on. She opened a couple more presents, taking time over every single card and gift.

The Cousins etc arrived, which excited and confused her! She did really well, ate some tea in her highchair in peace, then went in to the lounge and charged round happily, before sitting so grown up in the booster seat, snacking on bits of party food.

It's been such a special day, I'm not doing it any justice. She was incredible, every second of it, she paid attention to all the detail, smiled at everything people did for her, for us. The cards, the balloons, the people, everything got noticed.

I've said it yesterday, and I'll say it more days in the future, but I am so so proud of the beautiful little girl that she has become. She brings joy to everyone around her, and I hope today she's felt just how much love surrounds her, because we have both been reminded today of just how precious she is to so many people. And I put myself at the very very very top of that list.

Katie, I love you. You make my heart bubble with joy, just by being here. You make every day brighter than the last. And I can't wait to share all the birthdays and other days that we have ahead of us. Thank you for the best year of my life.

Love always xxxxxxxxxxxx


Katie at 12 Months

She is 70cm tall and weighs 18lb 5 oz still - the running around is the explanation!

She can:
*feed herself using a fork
*swim on her own, wearing swim discs
*walk outside
*stand up and sit down without anything to hold on to
*turn the television on and off, take a tape in and out, fastforward,rewind and change the volume
*throw a ball, not just drop it
*do all the actions to Wind the Bobbin Up
*find a piece of paper, find a pen, create "art", on her own.
*say 'fish, oof-oof, dog, cup, up, down, lala, no, off,'

She likes:
*the 'dry the baby' song and dance (a Mummy original)
*giving Monkey a bedtime kiss
*having a swing every morning in mummy's room
*pulling her socks off, to put them back on again
*chasing dogs in the street
*CAKE!!

She doesn't like:
*being fed with a spoon unless its yogurt or rusk with fruit
*having to sit still - for getting dressed/being changed/getting strapped in the car

She is:
The most incredible daughter beyond all I imagined I could be blessed with