The Vanderwalls: Happy Birthday, Chloe Girl!

Chloe Girl,

Just as I predicted in my last post, your 1st birthday has come and gone and here I sit, dusting the cobwebs off my blog. How does time get away from me so?

You had a great 1st birthday! (At least I think so). We had a small party for you on the Saturday before your birthday. Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Josh, Uncle Aaron, Nana, Papa, Auntie Kristi, Phil, Reba, Aunt Kathy, Uncle Terry, and Great Grandpa and Grandma were able to come help us celebrate. We had owl-themed decor, owl cupcakes, several other treats (not the least of which being veggie straws - your favorite), we played a game that was all about you (people had to guess your actual birthday, how much you weighed at birth, your length, etc.), and you opened LOTS of gifts! I'd planned some minute-to-win-it games (get it? 1 minute games for a 1 year old's party?! possibly lame...whatever), but they didn't happen because everyone went home instead...:( Sad, I know.

Daddy and I had mostly asked for clothes for your birthday so you got a lot of those, but you also got some other fun things. You received a couple play phones, 2 baby dolls, some hair accessories (just ask Daddy about your 1,000 mini elastics), a couple stuffed animals, and some of your favorite snacks. You seemed to love all of them and were very annoyed when we'd take one gift away so that you could open the next one.

The day of your actual birthday was filled with work and school and volleyball, but we did manage to let you eat a baby doughnut for breakfast and we got milkshakes that night; two things that make 1 year old's very happy :)

The day after your birthday we went to see Dr. Davidson for your 1 year well-child check. You weigh 18 lb. 2 oz. (24th percentile), measure 28.5" (26th percentile), and your head is 18.25" in circumference (84th percentile). Dr. Davidson said you look just beautiful and that your doing all the developmentally appropriate things for your age.

You aren't walking yet, but I think it is coming soon. You're very good at standing on your own and walking with assistance, but you hate doing both those things so it isn't often that we get to witness these activities. You now have 4 teeth. Noah reminds us of this almost daily, "Chloe has 4 teefies, and I have lots of teefies!" You're using your "teefies" quite well. Finger foods are your friends and you really like to eat almost anything the rest of us are eating. I'm quite thankful for this because it used to be that you were pretty picky.

Noah is your best bud! You love to play with him and try your best to tag along with him wherever he goes. You really miss him while he is at school. Mommy and Daddy are so thankful for the relationship that you two are already developing. It is precious!

Some of your current likes are: being held, looking at books, being outside (doing anything), playing with Noah, eating, taking baths, and jabbering.

Some of your current dislikes are: having dirty diapers, being told no (you are such a tender-heart...Mommy and Daddy only have to look at you to get you to stop doing something. If we so much as utter the word "No" you break down in tears), getting bossed by your brother, and being held by people you don't know REALLY well.

Your current verbal vocabulary: Mama, Dada, Nana, Papa, Dado (Noah), Was dat (What's that)

Your current sign language vocabulary: please, all done, thank you, more

You also say "Yes" and "No" by nodding/shaking your head very vigorously. This happens MULTIPLE times a day!

As I was writing in your birthday card and getting caught up on your baby book recently I've been searching for a way to write your personality down on paper. No matter how hard I try, I just can't quite seem to catch the essence of it. I keep writing that you bring so much joy to those around you, that you are truly a blessing to those in your life, that you're just the sweetest little thing, and that you are always so happy-go-lucky. All of those things are true, but they just don't do you justice. You just have this special aura about you that is indescribable, but you just radiate joy; people who are around you can't help but be happy and this joy seems to have a lasting affect. It is amazing to think that I'm saying these things about a baby, but it is true. God must have some very special plans for you!

We love you with all our hearts, Chloe girl! Keep being the special little person you are!

Here are a few of your 1 year pictures that Elia (Precious Moments by Elia) took for us: