For the last time.....

we had a first birthday bash. Who: Grandma and Grandpa Hull, Grandpa Salmon, Aunt June, and us.

What: delicious dinner, presents, cake and ice cream.

Why: my baby is one. I couldn't even read the first birthday cards at Toy's R Us without swallowing down the sentiments of saying good bye to that first year. I choked back a few more tears when I tucked her in that night. How to describe the bitter-sweetness of watching a young one grow and learn without remembering. Remembering those first new days, her wrinkled skin and downy hair, sleepless nights spent rocking and nursing, watching the sun rise. Remembering that I will never do that, get that again.

Natty really has been a delightful baby. She sleeps well,(minus a couple of months when she cut 6 teeth), eats great, and entertains herself quite well. She does not walk yet. She could if she wanted to but she just doesn't. As soon as she realizes she is standing on her own she slowly crouches down. She crawls really fast whether it be on her hands and knees, hands and feet, or just scooting around on her bottom. She says "uh-oh". She loves to be the center of attention and to clap for herself. She shrieks when she is excited..... or mad. She loves to hit anything. She loves to be outside and will stand and bang on the door or try to push her way out with her head. She's had three haircuts. She is currently cutting her molars which brings her up to seven teeth (I think). She loves to climb on her chair, on Dan, on the stairs... she can go up and down.

Presents: bath toys, a new car seat, a plush chair for herself, summer outfit, and a stuffed bear.