One year old

At the zoo

Her birthday cake!

Aunt Amber, mommy and the birthday girl

the happy family

Our baby is officially ONE. Last Thursday I took the day off so that Bethany and I could go to the zoo together. Dan's mom joined us and we had fun going through the inside exhibits and especially liked the animals we could get really close to like the monkeys, fish and sea otters behind glass. That evening my parents came over for dinner and Bethany got to open a couple of presents. She had more fun walking around holding the presents before opening them I think!

Saturday, October 30th we had family and friends to our church to celebrate with lunch and birthday cupcakes. Byerlys gives you a free birthday cake on your first birthday so Bethany had a good time picking the frosting pieces off and eating that. She didn't get overwhelmed with everyone singing, or get scared that we let her have the whole cake to herself, she was just her happy, busy little self. She was so excited about her fun presents and playing with friends.

Bethany is so much fun at this age! When someone else laughs she runs over and laughs too, when someone claps or says "yay!" she joins in clapping, and when we say "dance" (or even something similar like pants) or she hears music she bounces up and down on her legs to the music. I love her smiles and waving "hi" and "bye" and that she knows EVERYTHING we're talking about. Even though she can't say all of the words yet, when we ask her to do something or get something she knows exactly what to do.

We are moving towards all solid finger food now and she's doing pretty well! She also drinks out of a cup too. Sometimes she's a little picky, but now that she's realizing that is what we eat she's decided eating is better than not eating!

Bethany is scaling the stairs up and down. She is starting to walk pretty fast and sometimes even looks like she is running! She is still really enjoying music class at daycare and they sang happy birthday for her... she danced :)

We love you so much Bethany and are so thankful you are here! All week I remembered what we were doing at this time last year... my water breaking, going to the hospital, holding you for the first time, taking you home. Those first few days with you were a blur but I remember being so happy and in love with you... and being your mom. You have filled our lives with so much joy -I can't imagine life without you. While there were so many fun new things you accomplished in your first year, there are so many more to come and I'm excited to see you as you grow. I love you Bethany, Happy Birthday!

1 year stats:

Height: 30 in (75%)

Weight: 19 lb, 14 oz (25%)

Head: 45 cm (50%)