One Year!

Yesterday Miss Juliette Camille turned one year old! How this year has flown! I know it sounds cliche, but it really does seem like just yesterday when we were in that delivery room, watching the inauguration, anticipating her arrival. And now here we are, a year later, and she is no longer the same helpless, tiny creature we joyously welcomed into our arms.

At one, Juliette is a force! She was an early, confident mover and now she is an early, confident runner! One of her favorite things is sneaking away from us (down the hall, for example), and running and squealing as we swoop in to round her up. She doesn't really say many "real" words; just mama, dada, mimi (our word for nursing) and nana (night night). And she can also sign mimis, all done, water and more. She enthusiasticly shows off her clapping and waving skills and loves to shake her head no as she reaches for something she knows she's not supposed to have. She is an emptier of cupboards and a stealer of her siblings' toys, homework, socks, lunchboxes, etc. She loves babies and dollies. She has latched onto one of Annalise's old dolls, stripped it of its clothes and now drags it with her wherever she goes. "Dirty Dolly" cuddles with her when she sleeps and she loves to give her cuddles, hugs, kisses and pats on the back. She loves her family! She squeals with delight and dances up and down when Daddy comes home at night. She loves to wrestle with Zachary. She is constantly trying to get into Annalise's room (especially when Annalise is already in bed!) to be with her. She reaches out of my arms to have Grandma hold her. Hardly ever does anyone turn her away! She is a huge flirt and quick to make friends. She is the kind of baby who everyone in the grocery store wants to talk to and Juliette is happy to oblige with a little peek-a-boo or playing hard to get. She has a beautiful, genuine smile that lights up a room.

It's hard to imagine life without her. Did we actually have a debate about having a third child? What were we thinking? The decision seems so easy now. Life with Juliette is so much richer, filled with so much more joy. She makes us laugh and smile. She challenges us. She fills our lives with love and joy.