A Year to Remember

I had no idea 365 days ago that this year would be filled with so much joy.  It's impossible to put into words just how much Eliana means to us, but in honor of her first birthday, I'll share some of my favorite things about her:

1. The way she opens and closes her hands rapidly when she reaches for me

2. That she always tries to share her food

3. The way her hair stands up just like mine did at her age

4. That she falls asleep when I sing ( I can't carry a tune, by the way)

5. That she plays peek-a-boo by covering the side of her face instead of her eyes

6. Her chunky legs, although they're not so chunky anymore

7. That she babbled ma-ma-ma before anything else

8. Snuggles, so many snuggles

9. When she smiles or giggles just after falling asleep

10. That last night, on the eve of her first birthday, she patted me on the back a few times before falling asleep.

That last one says it all. We've been bonded from the moment she was born and experienced almost every minute of every day together, since.  That pat on the back was the perfect way to end our first year together. 

Eliana and I spent some time today painting a mug to have as a 1st Birthday keepsake

Covered in chocolate cake