Dear Mabel June,
This is the last time I will write one of my children a 1 year letter. You can bet I type that with tears in my eyes, and yet you are the perfect bookend to these crazy sisters of yours. Our family feels pretty complete and amazing with you in it. (Not to say we haven't ruled out fostering or adoption in the distant (((DISTANT))) future, but for sure there will be no more babies coming out of me!)
You have spent this month being sweet and funny and cute
You are so so so happy. Did I mention that you are happy?
Seriously, you bring joy to every dang moment of the day.
You find the silliest things HILARIOUS.
But some things are no joke.
You are eating more and more solid food, yet your favorite pastime is still boobs, just like your sisters at this age.
You LOVE the bath, and bathing with your sisters. You like to splash and eat the toys.
You LOVE other babies (tho you aren't always interested in me holding them.)
You are working on your molars, and it's EXHAUSTING… for both of us. (mostly for me, trust me on this)
Some times you like to nurse and snuggle with lucy at the same time.
We had a dinner date with Augie. You can't tell from this picture, but you LOVE Augie. Well, we all do, to be honest, but you really love him.
You are babbling a lot, mama, lala, baba, dada. Your sisters are tickled when you 'talk' to them!
Your sisters love you so very much, even when they are being less than gracious to you. :)
Lucy loves you so much that sometimes she tries to use you as a pillow.
Your Nana was in the hospital for surgery on your birthday, so we went to visit her. She was pretty happy to see you, and you were instrumental in her getting better faster!
When we got home, we had a little belated birthday party for you. Ruby helped decorate your cake.
You loved the cake.
LOVED. Until about 1 am, when you threw up all over the bed. I guess it was too much too fast, eh?
Lucy and Ruby helped you unwrap your presents. You weren't that interested in them, but I'm sure you will be with time.
You are a very curious baby. You like to open every box, or bin and see whats inside. You also like to open every drawer and cabinet and empty them all over the room. I am not a huge fan of this but it is kind of cute. At your 12month appointment you were 18.5 lbs, that's FOUR TIMES your birth weight. Way to go, Mighty Mabel, WAY TO GO.
You are hitting all of your developmental milestones except walking (however Lucy, who was not a preemie didn't walk till 16 months and is now a gross motor skill fiend, so I'm not worried). We have to stop talking about your 'adjusted' age because it no longer matters. Most preemies catch up by 2 years old and you did it by 1. You are truly amazing, kiddo!
My darling Mighty Mabel, when you were born so tiny and helpless, we worried so much about you and your health. Now here we are a year later and you are defying the odds and knocking every milestone out of the park. You are healthy and strong (yet still on the small side) and you are smart and engaging and perfect. You fill my days with wonder and appreciation for the miracle that you are. You were so tiny, yet you filled up a room with joy and you filled in the spaces in my heart with your sweetness. I am so grateful you came into our family.
All my love, Mama
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