11 Months Old

Dear Isabella,

I am writing this a day early, because tomorrow we are heading to the beach again for 2 weeks. You still don't like the sand, but you love to sit on the blanket and play with your toys and read your books. You are a girl after my own heart. Once upon a time, I used to spend many a day on the beach reading for hours and hours. Now I am too busy taking care of you and Alex, but I wouldn't have it any other way. We had a fun July 4th, but you were scared of the fireworks. I was holding you tight. You didn't cry, but you buried your head under your blanket and went to sleep.

You are scooting all over the place. You sit on your bottom and bounce to get where you want to go. Sometimes you even bounce and make a complete circle. It is so cute to watch. You are pulling yourself up from a sitting to standing position too! I took you to the doctor this month and you weigh 17 pounds...such a little peanut!

You love when I sing to you. You are starting to learn the hand motions for "If You Are Happy and You Know It," "Itsy Bitsy Spider," and "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes." You are really trying to talk too! You can say "Nana" and today I think you said "Dave."

I am busy planning your 1st Birthday Party! You aren't going to remember but one day I will show you the pictures and you will see how many people loved you and wanted to celebrate your big day. I am in shock that you are turning 1 in a month (and a day). This time last year, I was getting ready for you. I was trying to pack and finish picking out everything for our new house. All I could do was think about you. I thought you were going to come 3 weeks early like your brother, but you didn't. You were content as could be inside me, and as anxious as I was for you to get here, and as hot and big as I was, that last month of my pregnancy was such a special time. I already knew you and loved you so, now all I had to do was see you and hold you in my arms and I knew my life would be complete.

I can't believe that the next letter I write will be your birthday letter. I can't think about it or I will cry. Time is moving too quickly.

I love you so much Angel Pie,

Momma