12 months old... really?!!

Our precious baby turned one this week. Wow that year flew by. I reminisced all week about where I was one year ago. It's hard to believe that one year ago we were holding our little newborn in the NICU, and now I am chasing her around and cleaning up her messes all day. Anabelle has grown and learned so much this year, and I learned quite a bit too ;-) Thinking back on this year, I am mostly grateful for the opportunity and blessing of caring for one of our Heavenly Father's children. Last week I read the talk in the February Ensign by Elder Cook. I loved it. It talked about how having families of our own help us better understand how Heavenly Father feels about us. His talk is found here if you want to check it out.

This month Anabelle mastered the squat and loves climbing on things. She is constantly getting in the drawers and trying to climb on the furniture. It is so crazy to me that she can get on the coffee table and couches now. She is fascinated with moving big objects. She pushes the stroller and highchair around the house and pulls her rocking horse around the living room. Although she cannot get on the horse yet by herself, she loves to stand on the base and try to rock it. Anabelle is working really hard to help Mommy get some more sleep... right little one?! The last two nights, Anabelle slept for 11 hours straight. Woot woot! That has never happened before. Anabelle discovered jewelry this month. She loves trying on my bracelets and unfortunately she discovered the jewelry drawer as well.

Anabelle is so active and fun. She is going through a clingy stage and won't let me out of her sight. I think we need to get out more and start going to play group. She is so interested in activities, music and play time. I started doing Kindermusik with her at home, it's been really fun. She also loves building and stacking things. I will catch her all the time trying to stack various items. We are working on identifying features and body parts. Her favorite is the nose. It was pretty easy for her to learn that one because mine sticks out so far :) Anabelle loves books and more than any toy she loves my iPhone. When I work in the mornings, I let her play with it to keep her quiet. Now she thinks she owns it! She likes to take the cover off then she brings it to me and says "uh, uh."

Look everybody, I'm 12 months old

Anabelle loves to throw and play with tennis balls

climbing up all by myself

typical day walking around the house, pulling everything out, and carrying "treasures" around

This is how I rock on my horse 

come on horsey, lets go play

We had a fun little birthday party for Anabelle on Saturday. Pictures coming soon.