One

This day one year ago, I was cherishing the fresh scent of a newborn, delighting in holding and nursing a new baby girl, and contemplating with utter amazement the grace of God in the safe delivery of healthy Mary Anne at home. 

This year has brought the usual milestones for baby - growing, crawling, sitting up on her own, joining us in her highchair at the family dinner table, eating solid foods and now table foods, using a cup on occasion.  I am so thankful that she is healthy and achieving those things on schedule.

Some other fun things about Mary Anne...

• Her eyes are still blue.  Our only blue-eyed babe in the bunch.
• She has anisocoria.  That is where one pupil is larger than the other.  She was born that way. We, of course, had it checked out as that can be a sign of/result of serious things, but yet again, by God's grace, it is just a physiological trait for her...perfectly fine. 
• Her blond hair is growing - but mostly in the back.  Some days she looks a bit like Alfalfa from The Little Rascals. 
• She is standing on her own and cruising along the walls and furniture, but not walking without holding on yet.
• She LOVES to play Peek-a-boo.
• She smiles and laughs A LOT!
• She would rather be held than anything else.  {Who wouldn't?!} But...only by family.
• Carrots are her favorite food.  I gave her a sip of some juice from my Ruby Red grapefruit ...she cried.   Not thinkin' she liked it!
• She's 18ish lbs. and wearing 12 month size clothes.  (just like all my other girls...on the small side.)
• She still takes a pacifier...with great pleasure.
• She is a lickety-split fast crawler!
• She has 6 teeth, 4 on top, 2 on the bottom. 
• She has begun to take an interest in Otis.  He is so patient with her.  {What a good dog!}

Today she will have her first taste of cake and ice cream.  {Vanilla ice cream and white cake with chocolate frosting...that ought to make a splendid mess!} Good thing she loves bath time!
We don't have any particular plans for the day since she is not feeling well.  What timing to get a super bad head cold and bronchitis! 

Thank you, God for the blessing of Mary Anne and your providence to place her in our family.  I can't imagine our family without her.

Happy Birthday, Sweet Mary Anne.