My sweet girl, I'm writing this late at night (when I usually blog) and thankful the house is quiet and no one can see the tears in my eyes. It's days after your actual birthday and this is honestly the first time I've gotten emotional about it. Every part of celebrating YOU has been sentimental, but still fun. However, I've spent the last hours looking back at this blog, reading stories and combing through pictures, and I've finally hit the bittersweet-oh-so-sad-my-baby-is-not-a-baby-anymore point. Of course I realize you are still a baby in many ways, but babycenter.com keeps calling you a toddler and that's just not cool with me. I want you to grow and flourish and mature, but have just LOVED this special year with you like none other.
Bree, we have loved you way before the moment we saw this post-it note telling us we were going to parents of a little girl...
and the love only grew stronger when we saw your sweet face and {enormous} cheeks.
In the first days and weeks, I would look at you and wonder what you were really going to look like. To be honest, your brother came out looking like he was ready for his GQ cover with styled hair and all (minus his bruises). You came out scrunched up, droopy frowny cheeked, all roly poly like. Almost like a baby animal not ready to open her eyes. I mean that all lovingly of course.
all the way through labor and delivery, where you scared us to death by almost not making it through...stupid shoulder.
and the love only grew stronger when we saw your sweet face and {enormous} cheeks.In the first days and weeks, I would look at you and wonder what you were really going to look like. To be honest, your brother came out looking like he was ready for his GQ cover with styled hair and all (minus his bruises). You came out scrunched up, droopy frowny cheeked, all roly poly like. Almost like a baby animal not ready to open her eyes. I mean that all lovingly of course.I thought you looked nothing like your brother, and was thrilled people thought you looked like me! After Wade being daddy's clone, I thought I was due a little DNA recognition :)
THEN you started waking up and the resemblance was all too clear! (Wade-top, Bree-bottom)
And now at 1 year, you look so much like Wade - just in a girly way. I love to see you two together playing trains, making music, taking baths, flopping on the couch, and laughing. Your big brother has done better than I ever could have imagined this year. He greets you after naps with a, "Hey baby girl cutie pie!" And you beam from ear to ear when he's around. I do think the sibling rivalry will only get worse, but your big brother loves you and he's very protective of you!
Your daddy is absolutely the best daddy I know. He gives his heart and soul for you and Wade. He works hard for you and at the end of the day, all he wants is to come home to your hugs and giggles. So remember this when you're 16 and he's totally evil when it comes to dating. He's only looking out for your best interest.
I will forever be thankful that I was able to nurse you this entire year. You scared me in the beginning and I didn't think I could go through months of pumping again. But with luck (and help from Nonna) it was something we struggled with, fought for, and ultimately enjoyed. I tried to appreciate those countless hours of one-on-one time with you, realizing I would never get it back. In the rush of a normal day, I liked knowing we had a certain amount of time that was calm, intentional, and comforting (to you). Breastfeeding is difficult on many levels, but it can also be convenient and wonderful. Thanks for sharing that with me.
The first months of your life you were a swaddle baby! I will forever remember you wrapped up tightly in your muslin blankets. Swaddled Bree = Happy Bree! Your doctor finally had to intervene and force me to wean you from your confined slumbers :)
And when we were out and about, you were happiest in your wrap that I wore. That was the ONLY place you'd sleep out of your crib. No car seats. No strollers. When we flew to WV and the flight attendant made me take you out of the wrap, you made her (and everyone else on the flight) pay dearly. You started as a curled up ball in the wrap and now your legs would dangle out the sides. When you go to college and completely leave me, I'm going to cry knowing that I used to hold you completely protected, happy, and snuggled up to my chest in that thing.
From the day you started smiling and becoming aware of your surroundings, you have been easily entertained. You make other parents jealous as you sit quietly in highchairs, play contently with one simple toy for 30 minutes, or curiously crawl around and explore on your own. You are the "easy baby" parents hope to get and have now spoiled me for any future children. You've made me think I could definitely handle a 3rd child, but the jury's still out on that one. We'll wait and see what the terrible two's bring our way....
I can certainly say you are a pacifier girl. I wasn't sure in the beginning if you'd take one, but you now LOVE your pacifiers with the animals attached. We have an elephant, horse, frog, and caterpillar. You love them all and treat them with care and TLC. I need to start limiting where they can go before you get too used to one in your mouth at all times. But I'm happy to say you will not have the bottle obsession your brother had. We've completely converted to sippy cups and packed away the few bottles. I'm thankful we have one transition under our belt.
You love to observe and experience the life around you. I've always wondered what's going on inside that head of yours. You look like you're forming opinions and ideas from every little observation. I can't wait to hear what you have to say....when you learn how to talk :)
Cheeks McGee at her best!!!
Bree, you make every normal day, season, and holiday more special. Maybe it's because I get to dress you in cute outfits for (that you can't tell me you don't want to wear). But I really think it's because no one can help but smile in your presence. No matter where I am in the house, you'll do your little one legged crawl-scoot and find me. As soon as I see your face, I have to smile. And if I really want a mood boost, I'll tickle you right in the perfect spots and get the most wonderful giggle out of you! It's only going to get more fun as you drop your morning nap and you can be a part of the days activities. 
I'm looking forward to lots of time just the two of us now that Wade will be in school more days. You're going to LOVE music class! You already enjoy playing "yous-gick" (as Wade calls it) at the house, and the baby piano is your favorite instrument. The drums are fun too!
It was a great year for Santa this past Christmas. You had no fear and probably had no idea you were even in the big guy's lap! I look forward to next Christmas when I'm certain you will be deathly afraid of Santa...
You are a very social little girl and definitely know how to flirt! You must like the strong silent type, because Hunter Calvert and Tripp Jones really get your attention. We have to pull you off them! As you get older, remind me to teach you how to play "hard to get". It will pay off better in the long run.
Of course babyhood is not all roses and giggles. There's lots of poop, puke, and pouting. It's been a great year, but we've still had the usual bad days that every baby/mom experience. I was ecstatic when you finally slept well through the night and I could assume I'd get a full night's sleep. You're a good eater, but that's definitely something we've had to work at. For awhile I thought you'd be on baby food forever. But then you quickly took interest in finger foods and haven't turned back. We now know you're allergic to milk and are adjusting to life with food allergies. I've made a few mistakes along the way (who knew they put sour cream in restaurant guacamole??? not me), but we now have benedryl and an epipen jr. on hand at all times just in case! The hardest part of having you was balancing time/affection and playing defense against your brother. Now that you're so mobile the accidents and injuries are daily if not hourly!
Bree we tell you we love you every single day, so I know you hear it. But I also hope you feel it, grow in it, and someday fully understand how much we truly love you.
I feel so blessed to be the mother of these 2 wonderful children and I thank God for you and your brother. Thank you for making the journey so meaningful. Your new open mouthed kisses (with full tongue) show me how much you agree :)
So as we celebrate your first year of life, I think back with a smile and look forward with hope. HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY sweet baby girl (or as your daddy calls you - Boopa??). We love you to the moon and back!!!
...Uncle Alan and Aunt Karen gave her the world's largest & softest teddy bear! She LOVES it, and cuddles with it all the time. And I must admit I find myself snuggled up to it too :)
Her personality's coming out more and more each day. You can tell she wants more independence and won't sit still for things like diaper changes. I like the new feisty Bree, but sweet Bree is still my favorite :)
Favorite meal HANDS DOWN - Spaghetti. This girl can put down some noodles and meat sauce. I should've known when she first grabbed noodles of Wade's plate that she was a fan....but I had no idea how MUCH she liked this simple meal. I've even found the noodles that have a full serving of veggies in them. Add that to all the veggies you can hide in the sauce and - SCORE! Great meal for our growing girl!
Playing at Chuck-E-Cheese
We started the day by the pool with Alicia's favorite margaritas in hand.
Then we played a fun game. Alicia has a habit of creating inside jokes with everyone she meets. There is always a funny story, nickname, or phrase to be relived! So we had everyone bring an item to represent an inside joke involving Alicia. Then we put them all in a bag and made her guess who brought what and then tell us all the story. Let me just name a fe
It was so fun to hear all the stories from childhood, high school, college, and beyond.
A few stories my mom needed to plug her ears for...
And we had to do the "George Washington" in the pool. Anyone else do this growing up?
After when we were nice and crispy from the sun, we moved the party upstairs to the condo for drinks and dinner.
We took the party with us everywhere we went!
Meet Garrett Gravesen. He went to our high school. Can you see where this story is going?
It took a lot of gear, but finally we were ready to hang from trees.
They slowly work you up to long ziplines over the water. It was SO fun!
