Dear Lila,

Happy first birthday!! I cannot believe you are already a year old. Time sure has flown by and you have grown so much in the past year.

This weekend we hosted your first birthday party with Mimi, Gee, Uncle Matt, Aunt Amy, Uncle Mike, Mabel and our friends here in Reno. We had everyone over to our house for desserts and you played in the living room with all your friends. You LOVED your birthday cake and made sure to smear it all over.

You have changed so much in just the past month and are really starting to become a little toddler vs a baby.

Standing is your latest development. You are perfectly capable of standing for 20-30 seconds at a time, but only do it when you don’t realize you are letting go, like when you start clapping in excitement. Once you realize you aren’t holding on though, down you go.

Climbing is your favorite activity. We got you a little climber for our house and you’ll spend most of your time climbing up the slide and then going down on your stomach. You learned this move from Gymboree.

You are beginning to verbalize what you want. Your only words so far are “Dada,” “Mama,” and “Doggie,” but you let us know your wishes by extending your arm and grunting in the direction of what you want. Often times it’s our food (which we’re happy to give you).

Right on cue, you’ve started to let us know when you are NOT happy about something. For example, when it’s time to leave the park, you usually don’t want to go, and you’ll tell us by arching your back and screaming. I try to tell you that I know how you feel and that it’s okay to feel disappointed sometimes and you usually calm down quickly.

You love all sorts of foods including Ethiopian food, sauerkraut, goat cheese, steak and most of all … coconut! Your daddy will cut open a coconut, stick a straw in and you’ll drink all the juice. Then you two will split the coconut flesh (mommy doesn’t like coconut).

We have so much fun with you. Even on days when you’re fussy and we’re feeling worn out, after you go to bed, Daddy and I always end up sitting together spending our precious free time watching videos and looking at photos of you. You’re always on our mind little bug.

I can’t believe a year ago today you were just a 6 lb, tiny baby resting against my skin and now you are a 20 lb sweet little girl constantly flashing us your smile. You were brand new to the world and to us then, but now you are my best buddy and the center of our universe.

A year is a short amount of time really, but when I think of how much you’ve become part of our hearts, it feels like forever.

I am so proud to be your mommy. Thank you for all you’ve taught me this past year.

Love you forever little bug,

Mommy