afton's one year

One Year.

My little baby girl is a year old!

If I hadn't actually lived it, I wouldn't believe it's really been a whole year.

And even though I did live it... I'm still not sure I believe it's true.

Crazy!

Afton is:

... so funny! She's started doing a fake laugh a lot lately, which cracks us up instantly. Then she figured out that she can laugh when we are laughing - so anytime we are talking and start laughing, Afton joins in with this adorable little giggly squeal. It's so delightful. She keeps us smiling and laughing all the time.

... seriously so smart. I know I say it all. the. time. But seriously. She's brilliant. She catches on to things so quick, and she seems to figure things out in only a fraction of the time or tries I think she should be able to. She is truly amazing. It is so fun to watch her little brain work. 

... sensitive lately. She doesn't like conflict, and she doesn't like when anyone rough-houses with her dad. On several occasions (and with several different brothers), Brans has started wrestling or something with one of our brothers, and Afton just goes crazy - screaming and crying like, Don't hurt my dad! I'm not sure where it came from. But she has such a sweet little heart and is protective of her family already.

... independent. She likes to do things herself. She won't eat from my fingers very often anymore. She either has to be feed from a fork, or pick up pieces of food by herself. She is also really good at entertaining herself. In the morning, she'll wake up and read books in her crib before I come in and get her out, and while I'm busy doing the dishes or something during the day, she's usually just content to play with her toys or read books or crawl around the house. She's so good!

... so patient. I've been really busy and had so much to do the last few months (being a wedding planner and caterer for Taylor's wedding and Chad's wedding) and through it all, Afton has just been perfect. She's handled the late nights and lots of errand running and cooking and baking and  everything with such patience and tolerance. It really has been amazing. And I am so grateful!

... a piranha. She is working on her 8th tooth! She's got a mouthful of sharp little chompers, and luckily, isn't too much of a biter. 

... obsessed with spicy food. (Must have been all the spicy things I ate during pregnancy, or something...) She loves it! The other day, I made some pretty spicy queso dip and we gave her just a teeny tiny taste of it, and she went crazy for it! She dipped carrots and bread and anything else she could find in it, and wouldn't eat anything else the rest of the night that didn't have queso on it. She's a girl after my own heart. She's still such a great eater - and she eats so. stinkin'. much. I'm jealous of her metabolism. She loves croissants and cheese, any fruit or vegetables, food that has lots of flavor, and sugar. This girl loves cake. She was in heaven eating wedding cake scraps!

... really good at putting her toys away. She loves to load up her wagon or basket with her toys. Then she'll pull out the ones she wants and play with them, but then will usually put them back away when she's done. Sometimes, if she doesn't, as soon as I say, Let's pick up your toys... Can you put them in your wagon? she'll immediately toss them all in. She's such a smart, obedient little angel. How did I get so lucky?

One year ago, this precious little gal was born. 

She is our pride and joy!

We are so blessed to be her parents and have her in our lives.

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

We Love You!