ALY ALLEN | THE BLOG

Sweet sweet Reese... I'm writing this on May 23, 2010. It's not quite ON your birthday, but the idea just came to me that I should write you a "letter" each year of your life {and we DID just have your birthday party yesterday, so it's not too far off!}. Your turning one has been absolutely surreal for me. On one hand, I feel like time has flown by and I can't believe you're *already* ONE! On the other hand, when I think about how much I LOVE you, I can't believe I've *only* known you for ONE year!?! It seems like you've always been here, and I can't remember life before you. I had a flashback recently of bringing you home from the hospital. This whole thing was new- for BOTH of us! But we're quick learners :) You started sleeping through the night at 12 weeks old. It could have been sooner, but I didn't have the heart to put you in your crib! The first night in your crib = 12 hours straight. You are the definition of "sleeping

so, my baby girl has been walking for about 6 weeks. she'd take 3 steps, then 5, and then she'd walk all over the place- as long as she was holding on to a finger or two of mine :) most of the time, she would stand there and cry until you let her grab on and go. she just plain did NOT want to walk on her own. this morning, same 'ol story. she didn't want to walk unless i was right there by her side. this afternoon, she let go a few times... she wandered off and then she'd come right back and grab on to take me with her. but tonight.... i sat her down in front of the TV for a few minutes while i set the table. all of a sudden i see a little bobbing head rounding the corner coming toward me. it had to be my imagination?!?! my little baby girl who was too scared to let go had stood herself up by grabbing onto the couch, had LET GO of the couch, and headed toward her momma?? i literally could not believe my eyes. the rest of the night i couldn't hold on to her. she