Yes, Today is Holly’s Birthday!

Our little Holly has been over here in Utah this whole year, growing up so fast! And today is her very first birthday. I’m a little sad that we won’t have any family in town for it, especially since several people came in town for Emrick’s first birthday, but I know it will make little difference to Holly herself. And I am thinking about those of you who have been going through some stressful times this past year and more.

Holly is SUCH a sweetheart — a feisty sweetheart, but a sweetheart nonetheless. She is big on cuddles. When playing, she often stops and comes over to me and reaches for a quick hug before resuming her adventures. She likes books, too. When she wants me to read a book to her, she grabs it, carries it over to me, and thrusts it violently into my face. I mean, she literally hits me in the face with the book! But it’s cute. And when I start reading it to her, she grins contentedly and looks back and forth between me and the book.

She’s a climber, too and seems to be exceptionally coordinated. I remember when Emrick turned out to be such an early walker, his pediatrician said that he was probably very coordinated, and maybe he is, but I tell ya… Holly amazes me sometimes. It used to make me nervous when she climbed onto a couch or a bed, but somehow she has taught herself to get down safely. I have seen her use a pretty complex series of maneuvers to get herself down slowly and steadily from pieces of furniture. Don’t get me wrong, she’s not climbing on countertops (yet), only soft, seat-height furniture. But still, she looks SO graceful and coordinated when she’s climbing down from something, that it stuns me. But then, maybe it’s just my own LACK of coordination that has left me so easily impressed by her skills.

She’s also very vocal. Happy, sad, frustrated or mad, Holly has something to say! I think she will be the least reserved one in our little family.

*The little dot by her nose is a small scab. Also, I know her nose is a little crusty, but she hates having it wiped, so I opted for crusty-nosed, but tear-free pictures over clean-nosed, tearful ones 😉

Holly weighs about 20.5 pounds and is of unknown height. I tried to measure her, but she wouldn’t hold still. Doing my very best, I came up with a number that was 1/4 inch shorter than last month’s. Assuming that my daughter is not shrinking, I think I did not get an accurate measurement!

We love you, Holly Belle! You’re our sweet, one-year-old, baby darling!

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, little girl!