Time in a Bottle

I have said it before and I will say it again, don't blink. It is unreal to me that I now have a toddler who is well on her way to walking, talking, eating on her own, and playing independently. Vivie's first birthday was a whirlwind of preparation, excitement, and yes, a few tears from her mama. Her 2 birthday parties went perfectly, although I must admit they were exhausting! All I could think about as I planned, planned, and planned, was that I wanted to stop time and soak her up just as she is right now at 1 year old.

So Vivie, to commemorate your first year, I want to try and capture time in a metaphorical bottle. This is who you are right now, as an amazing and sweet one year old baby girl.

Your laugh is the most contagious experience of my life. When you laugh that deep, hearty, belly laugh there is no better sound in the world. It would be impossible to not laugh or smile along with you. You laugh when we tickle you, especially on your chubby thighs, when we turn you upside down, when Stella licks you, when Daddy walks in the door,  when you see your cousins, and when you look at pictures. If there is one quality that I hope and pray you never lose, it would be your joyful spirit. It is infectious, and offers me more happiness than you will ever know.

You love to play. You are now loving on your babies and feeding them bottles, and it is probably the cutest thing I have ever seen. I love watching your mind figure things out, and I love the intense look you get on your face when you are playing with your toys.

You love to eat! We have transitioned you to table food, much to your delight, and you love it! Your favorite things right now are macaroni & cheese, green beans, grilled cheese, bananas, chicken, and you still love those cereal puffs. We love to watch you eat, and Stella loves it when you drop her some leftovers! You love drinking water, and are now enjoying milk. Mama is still working on dropping the last bottle, but it has been hard for me. I know once you are off the bottle, you will be a big girl!

You love other children, especially your cousins. Your face lights up when you see other children, and I hope that you will always have that loving, outgoing personality.

You love to crawl, and loved to be chased! You have stood on your own briefly, but do not seem that anxious to walk. We are working on it, but  right now you are very content to crawl.

You are on the go constantly and rarely want to be held. Your daddy and I are always craving cuddle time, but you never want to sit still. Any opportunity we have to just hold and cuddle you, we take full advantage of!


I hope one day you read this and it gives you an idea of who you are at this sweet, sweet age. I love listening to you babble, squeal, laugh, and growl. I love watching you crawl across the floor and play with your toys. I am trying to memorize every single aspect of you at this moment, and wish I could store it all up in a bottle. My time in a bottle will be the thousands of pictures, the videos, and this blog. I hope that you will read this one day, maybe when you have a 1 year old, and gain a sense of your radiance, your happiness, and your charming nature. I delight in every day with you, and watching you grow has been the greatest joy of my life.