One

I am a whole week late in posting London's one year entry, but I think I may still be in denial that she is actually now a toddler, and not my little baby.

You can read all about (and see lots of photos) London's birth day and story here and here.

Just a few minutes old -- February 20, 2013

One year later -- February 20, 2014

In one month, so much has changed.  London is, literally, toddling around, learning to walk between 11 and 12 months.  She has also gained more teeth, totaling now at 7 (with her 8th about to break through the skin any day).

Here is a video of one of her first walking experiences:

She also talks (all the time), and is actually starting to learn new words instead of just babbling.  So far she knows:  Mama, Dada, Bubba (brother), Baby, Uh-oh, No (while shaking her finger at whomever she is speaking to), Hi, Bye, and just tonight, she started saying Ninny (Connor's name for Aunt Lindsay).

At her one year checkup, she weighed in at 21 pounds, 15 ounces, and 32.25 inches tall.  She is still 75th percentile for her weight and height, but her growth curve has stayed the same, so the doctor deemed her "perfect," which was great to hear.

She is still mostly smiles, although her contentendness at just sitting when she could be walking around is diminishing by the day.  She has discovered a love for baby dolls, and pushing them in her new stroller, and it's so sweet to see her rock them.  Here she is with her baby:

just waking up on the morning of her birthday

Here is London at 11 months versus 12 months:

Here are my two cuties, both on their first birthdays:

This year with London and Connor was filled with new challenges, transitions, and plenty of uncertainty, but I can honestly say it has been the best year of my life.  Connor is so smart, sweet, and funny, and London is pure joy in a chunky little body.  I love being the mom of these two precious children, and it has been fun to look back each month at how London (and reminiscing about Connor) has changed and grown.  

Happy birthday, London Elise, our sweet, smiling girl!

Snow Days

Although we have missed several days for inclement weather, we have only had two really decent snowfalls that Connor has had the opportunity to enjoy.  Ironically enough, both of them have been on Saturdays.  Prior to these two weekends, each time the snow would melt, he would cry because he hadn't gotten to enjoy it.

While visiting Louisville three weekends ago, Connor enjoyed his very first real snow "play day" in two years.  Connor lasted longer than all the rest of us, playing, rolling, making snow angels, chasing Toby, and his favorite, throwing snowballs at everyone.

It was such a joy to see him finally get to enjoy a real snow day, not attempting to scrape together enough snow at our house to make one snowball.

Then, last weekend is snow enough to play as well.  Jason was sick and London happened to be napping, so I got a special hour all to myself in the snow with my boy.  We had a blast.

Here are a few photos I snapped of first the Louisville snow day:

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And these are the ones from our house: 

I cannot think of anything more perfect than a snow day with this kid.