Dear Maggie,

I love everything about you! Here are two things that I love most:

You love to take baths. The other night I asked if anyone wanted to take a bath. I was saying it more for your brother because I didn't think you understood so much yet. But as soon as I said it you toddled yourself into the bathroom and up to the bath tub. I was getting you undressed and you were so excited. Then I noticed that you were pooey. Daddy took you out to the living room to clean you up and you screamed and kicked and cried for all you were worth - until he brought you back to the tub. Tonight I was trying to decide if I should put you straight to bed because you were so tired or give you a bath because you had used the juice from your apples this morning to spike your hair. I whispered in your ear, "Do you want to take a bath?" You looked at me, slid off my lap and toddled to the tub. As soon as I got you in your tiredness seemed to disappear and played and giggled and talked lots and very loudly. I knew you were still so tired but you were so happy in the tub.

The other thing I love so much right now is when you are tired you take my hand and put it to your cheek and rest your head in it. It is the sweetest thing!

I love you baby girl! When I look at you I can't not smile. And when I hold you I feel as if my heart will melt to liquid and dissolve.

I'm so glad I'm your mama!

Love,
Mom

1 Year Appointment

Dear Miss Maggie,

Today I took you to see Dr Fox for your one year appointment. With a black eye. Last Friday you tripped, or Max pushed you (I'm really not sure because I didn't see it happen but he was sitting in your chair and you wanted it so I can't rule his involvement out) and you hit your cheek on the train stacking toy. When I got to you a bruise had already formed and you were crying hysterically. It broke my heart. It makes me want to cry thinking about it now. You are such a happy girl and when you get hurt it feels like you are confused by it. Even with your black eye you are perfectly happy. Dr Fox asked all the appropriate questions about how you got your black eye and then went on with your exam. Everything looks good. He measured you twice just to be sure- you are a little thing. You are 27.5 inches tall which puts you in the 8th percentile. And you are not so heavy either. You weigh 19.2 pounds, which puts you in the 17th percentile. He recommended we do away with the bottle. I think you will be okay with that. You haven't been really into it lately. You are loving the sippy cup. And even at bedtime you are now able to fall asleep in your bed by yourself. Yay Maggie! It seems like the day you turned one you decided that you were too grown-up for all that baby stuff and something switched. I'm proud of you, but don't grow up to fast baby girl. You have also attached to a blanket. It just happened one day. Last week. It is a plain white one with a duck in the corner and a yellow binding. You drag it around the house and cling to it at night. It really is so sweet. Dr Fox asked if I had any concerns about your health or development, which I don't. And then it was time for the immunizations. You got seven shots! My sweet girl. I know it doesn't make any sense to you and it broke my heart in pieces to see your sweet face wince and cry when the needles went in your prefect, soft, chubby little thighs. No more immunizations for 6 months! And after that I put you in your car seat and brought you home. And that it my favorite part. I love that I get to bring you home with me. I love having you around.

Love,

Mama

PS I keep meaning to tell you some things I love about you right now. So here goes:
I love how you shake your head and say "unt-uh". I love watching you walk. I love how you play with your brother and how you want to be near him always. I love watching you when you play independently for brief moments. I love that you always want to me near me (I have started calling you barnacle because it is like you are stuck right to me most of the time). I love how you snuggle in when I pick you up. I love your  sense of adventure and how you get excited when I put the couch cushions on the floor because you want to climb on them. I love your cheesy smile that you have been flashing lately. I love when you laugh. I love when you tease your brother - it makes me nervous for the future when you will actually be able to use words and plan out your teasing more. I love brushing your little hair off your little forehead. Oh baby, I love everything about you. But mostly I love that you are mine!