Brianna is 12 Months (1 Year!) Old!

Brianna is ONE YEAR OLD today! We can hardly believe it. One year ago seems like it was just yesterday, yet somehow it also seems like a lifetime ago.

Here is Brianna's 12 month photo with Baby Kelly:

Look how far we've come... Brianna is KISSING Baby Kelly. Ha!
This month, we have truly watched our little baby morph into a toddling little girl right before our eyes. Brianna began walking (more than just a step or two) on January 28th, and there has been no stopping her since then. She was a little timid with her walking at first, but it didn't take her long to become brave and bold. If she falls flat on her face, she just gets back up and keeps going.

Brianna is wearing 12 month size clothing (with a few 18 month size pieces thrown in there), size 3 diaper, and size 3 and 4 shoe. She takes 3 6-ounce bottles a day, although we will start weaning her from those soon. On a side note, she is so funny when she takes her bottles. She still won't hold her own bottle (never has), but she'll lay perfectly still with her hands folded and feet crossed at the ankles while she eats. She almost always has her feet crossed at the ankles when she's being held in the cradle position. It's so cute... makes me just want to squeeze her!

Pointing at anything and everything is Brianna's latest "thing". She loves to point out anything that is out of the ordinary (like her birthday decorations we put up in the house), or anyone that fascinates her (like other littles in restaurants). She also turns her palms up as if to say, "I don't know" and waves toward herself when she wants you to hand her something.

Ever since B was sick at the beginning of January, she has slept so well at night. I can't express enough how wonderful it is to have a baby that sleeps through the night... FINALLY!!! I almost always rock her to sleep for her naps (still taking two a day), but she falls asleep by herself in her crib at night. One of her happiest times of day is when she first wakes up in the morning or from her naps. She will grin ear-to-ear, laugh, clap, and talk to her stuffed animals. It melts my heart, and sometimes in the morning I will lay in bed listening to her over the monitor for a few minutes before I go get her out of bed.

Brianna still loves people. She waves to everyone in stores, restaurants, and at church. We went to our friend Callie's birthday party last weekend, and B just played and watched the other kids as content as could be. She didn't even notice when Chris or I would leave the room. She will let just about anyone hold her, which honestly is a little scary for Mom.

Brianna is starting to really love her baby dolls. She hugs and kisses them, and wants to cuddle them while she's going to sleep. I love this! Other favorite toys right now include books, her schoolbus that holds balls, and her shape-sorter. She also loves her letter magnets that live in the kitchen on the fridge and dish-washer.

It seems like Little Miss learns new things every day. She holds up one finger if you ask her how old she is, she knows where her ears, nose, and mouth are, she gives high fives (and sometimes says "five"), and blows kisses. B is very affectionate, so giving kisses and blowing kisses to everyone and everything is probably her favorite thing to do. Well, she loves to wave at everyone and everything, as well.

Brianna has four teeth, and she loves eating food that we eat. Thankfully, she isn't picky about her food (yet). We got rid of the pacifier (for good!) about three weeks ago, and I don't think she even misses it. She LOVES taking baths, and is overall just a happy, happy little girl.
It is really incredible how much Brianna has changed over the past year. Chris and I were talking the other day, though, about how much we have changed since having her as well. She has brought more to our lives than we could have imagined.

Happy birthday, Baby B! We love you!