dear asa (one whole year)

my sweet asa,

holy moly, you are one!!! to be precise, you are 12 months, two weeks and three days old. this is unreal to me. i can still feel the weight of your tiny newborn body in my arms, legs straight out against me (you were never one to curl your legs in the fetal position, baby; you've always relished stretching into any space you accommodate). in four months, you've gone from tentatively scooting on your bottom to mastering the "army crawl" to crawling on all fours like a legitimate puppy, a skill you finally picked up when you were around 11 months old. anyone who knows you well shouldn't be surprised you're not walking yet; you've always taken your time with the gross motor stuff.

(so, no, if you're asking, asa is not walking. and please, please accept that it's okay, really. we're not concerned. if you've ever seen her fly around the room holding just one of mama or daddy or grandmama's hands, you wouldn't be, either. girl can move).

baby girl, i've been much, much more amazed at the other skills you've developed in the last four months. you are the most adorable copycat around. if mama or daddy snaps, you watch closely and rub your thumb and forefinger together, trying to do it too. you "rub in" your lotion after touching a lotion bottle, pick up a comb and "brush" your hair, scratch your scalp in unison with me, gently pat henry behind the ears or on his tummy. you'll pick up a shoe, then hold out your foot for someone to help put it on. you're learning to buckle your high chair and changing table straps. you silently mouth so many words before repeating them, and your vocabulary now includes mama, hi! (with the exclamation, because you're so dang excited when you say it), hey, bye bye, and finally, dada! you are also a waving, clapping machine.

speaking of clapping, you offer an enthusiastic round of applause in greeting these days. recently, you started visiting a sweet daycare a few hours each week; when we picked you up after your first day, you clapped! you clapped when we walked through the door. i don't think i'll ever forget that, baby girl.

what an amazing observer you are, asa. i see how bright and attentive you become when we're in a room full of people. you take it all in, then when it's just you, me and daddy, you babble on and on about everything you saw. you are calm and thoughtful, happy and outgoing, introverted and extroverted all at once. it is wonderful.

i need to list a few milestones and stats so i don't forget them, love. you had your first haircut four days after your birthday. i really just trimmed your bangs while you slept, but still. it counts! you are 28.75 inches long and you weigh 19lbs, 6oz. you're tall and thin like your dad, and it's pretty cute. your head is still enormous, naturally. it's all the cheeks and hair and eyes, and brains, of course.

now, let's talk teeth. four months ago, you grew two of them. you still only have two. you've been tricking us for months into thinking a new top tooth has popped, but when we try to find it, it's gone. what wizardry is this?! you're growing somewhere between four and six teeth at once, and i desperately hope one comes out soon. this is not pleasant for you (or me, or daddy).

my lovely girl, you are one! i really, truly can't believe it. you are brilliant and hilarious and strong-willed and beautiful. we are into your second year in the world, and you've completely changed my life. and it is so, so good.

all the love forever,

mama.

p.s.-you've started throwing some serious tantrums when we redirect you from something you want but shouldn't have. you'll scream, arch your back, melt from our arms to the floor, and even hit (!) us you're so angry. it's normal. and sad. and hilarious. i'm trying my best not to laugh at you, love. sorry!