Dear Delaney

There's only 1 sticker left in your month-to-month package.  You're 11 months baby girl, and my heart sort of lunged out of my chest when I saw that solo 12 month staring back at me.  I can't believe we're almost there (but somehow you're looking more like a 1-year old than ever - look at that long hair)!

It's amazing to think that 11 months ago I was holding my breath in anticipation of meeting you.  I couldn't wait to see your little face, to hear your tiny cry, and to hold you for the very first time. Had I known it was YOU inside there all along, I wouldn't have been able to wait a single day longer.

You are my little buddy Miss Delaney. You like to (or should I say must) walk everywhere, but I love that you still want to hold hands on occasion.  You laugh at my silly jokes, absurd sounds and crazy faces (thank you), and no one makes me laugh harder than you. 

The last month has been filled with big changes in your world.  And each one feels like a big step away from your days as a baby, and my days as a mom to an infant. We've packed up the infant carrier and transitioned you to a big girl carseat.  You're losing interest in bottles and pureed food, preferring to feed yourself finger good and drink from a sippy cup. And you walk all around the house like you've never known anything different.

As you can see in the videos below, you are INTO EVERYTHING.  Not to mention, you are totally fearless and not afraid to play rough. Slamming doors, crashing over, running, and being chased (or chasing) your favorite playmate Beau. 

You're a silly, happy little girl.  You're squealing and jabbering away more than ever.  We mostly hear dadda, puppa, woof, baba, hot, no, boon and occasionally mama coming out of your mouth.  You also have full blown conversations in your own language with us (and Lambeau, and strangers in the grocery store, and yourself).  In fact, I think your greatest frustration comes from us not speaking this language yet. ;) You're kinda like me with that whole instant gratification thing.  If it's out of reach you need it NOW, and you really have a way of telling us (aka whining).  So until those words come, we're working on patience and trying to find better ways to communicate.

Your 11th month is flying by, in fact your first Halloween is tomorrow!  We've been spoiled with a beautiful fall in Ohio.  I could hardly wait for our first trips to the pumpkin patch and apple picking adventures, and they didn't disappoint.

Here you are with your playgroup buddies, clearly terrified and traumatized that I wedged you behind that big pumpkin for a group pic.  I am still feeling guilty about that one.

I took the following for your 1st birthday party invitations (and of course had to sneak in a pic with your big brother Beau).



You loved exploring the apple orchards and pumpkin patches.  And I loved the beautiful light and capturing these sweet moments with your Daddy...

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Along with all the fall fun, we had a special surprise visit with your great-grandma Gigi, who made a detour here during her roadtrip back to Florida with her buddies Barb and Jean.  Even though it was a very quick trip, we had the best time. I just loved watching the two of you together...we're so lucky to call her our Gigi.

  

Next up, Aunt Zeze (who just got engaged!!) and Grammy K came for a girls' weekend while your Daddy went hunting with Grandpa in South Dakota.  They had so much fun playing with you and were such a huge help while I snuck in a few photo sessions.  You were spoiled with lots of fun walks, endless book reading, football / pj Sunday, and one more pumpkin patch visit just for good measure ;).  

(thanks to Aunt Zeze for the pictures)!

 

Finally, we went to see your beautiful Auntie Brookie in her new home in Indianapolis.  It was really important for me to spend that time with her, and you were such a patient and sweet baby the entire time.  No surprise, you loved her to pieces. Constantly on her nap twirling her necklace with your Uncle Andy's ring on it.  The two of you have quite a connection, and it means the world to me.

You're a gift little one.  To all of those that know and love you. 

To the moon baby.

xo, your mama.