Dear Charlotte,
Today, you are one.
In all honesty, love bug, neither your father nor I really feels that this is a big deal. We loved you yesterday and we love you today and we will love you tomorrow and THAT, that is a big deal. That matters more than anything.
We did not plan a party for you or buy you a card or any gifts. We host twice-monthly family dinners at our house, something that you are much keener on now that you are mobile enough to chase your cousins around in circles, and although we baked cupcakes to share with everyone (except you), it was a bit of an afterthought. I’m sorry about that, but look at it this way: it can only go up from here.
The last month with you has been amazing. You have graduated from the zombie-walk of new toddlers to a sort of Franken-run. It’s adorable beyond belief. You have learned a ton of new signs – goat, shoes, dirty, mama, home, love, kiss, fruit, help, and more – and you are practicing new sounds all the time.
I started to teach you a few new games recently. The one that you love the most is hide-and-seek, probably because it has so much in common with your all-time favorite peek-a-boo. You are not a very good hider yet, but there is nothing cuter than coming around a corner to see you with your head stuck under the table and your bottom waving around in the air. I always stomp around pretending that you are VERY HARD TO FIND, asking out loud if you are in the trash bin or the fireplace or behind the pantry door and peering under couch cushions and behind curtains. By the time I actually find you and grab you, you are giggling like a maniac. I. LOVE. IT.
You are also beginning to mimic your father and me more often. A couple months ago, you learned how to blow raspberries on my belly, which is something we do all the time with you. Then, a few days ago, you learned how to tickle me. A day or two after that, you learned how to stuff your arms through the sleeves of your shirt. And then it just took off. You try to put your shoes on when we go outside. After I got caught at the library without a sling and tied you to me with a sweatshirt, you started trying to wrap shirts around your body and hold your lovey with them while I fold laundry. You help me find my matching socks and shoes every day, and sometimes you even stuff my keys in my pocket for me.
At twelve months of age, you are a pistol. Every day, you learn something new and delightful. Your father and I are constantly looking at one another in surprise at your wealth of new tricks.
Charlotte, as we enter into our second year with you, your father and I find ourselves at a loss for words. You are the greatest of our creations, the source of our family’s joy, and the best part of our lives together. We love you immeasurably and we look forward to watching you grow even more. You have made us both happier than we ever imagined.
We love you more than bears love honey (and everyone knows that’s an awful lot),
Momma and Daddy
(21) -
Happy Birthday to a lovely girl,
Joyeux Anniversaire Charlotte.
(I love the Franken-run…must be fun to see)
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Perfect!
Happy Birthday Charlotte!
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Happy Birthday Charlotte! I hope it’s your best year yet:).
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I’ve never commented before, but I’ve been following and enjoying your blog for quite a while now. i find every picture and story about Charlotte absolutely beautiful…but these pictures especially, for some reason, shouted to me “That is one HAPPY baby!“ It exudes from her..she is radiant! I hope that one day I am able to accomplish the same when my hubby and I have a child.
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Wow. Happy Birthday, Charlotte. And Happy “I’m a Parent Now” Anniversary to you, Sarah. You have done well. So Well. And I cannot believe it’s been a year already. Wow.
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Awww, happy birthday to Charlotte! I always think every stage is the BEST stage, and it’s true. It just keeps getting better as they learn to become their own little person.
I have a little something I’d like to send to Charlotte - If you feel comfortable that I’m not a crazy stalker & want to email or dm me your address?
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what? already? happy birthday, sweet Charlotte!
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happy happy birthday…hard to believe it has been a year! we aren’t doing presents or cards for Finn’s first, either. But…the party is happening. Going home to see family who will only be seeing her for the second time ever…so the party is really for all of us!
enjoy the beginning of your second year!
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Happy Birthday to little miss sunshine. :D
I agree with Iceel…you and Donald have done a tremendous job raising a happy, healthy, beautiful little person.
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I just voted for you. Great blog and your little one is absolutely adorable.
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Wonderful. I planned to write a letter like that to each of my kids - Now I really wish I would have kept up with it.
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YAY! Happy birthday to Charlotte.
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Adorable!
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Happy Birthday Charlotte!!
I too have been reading this blog quietly, never posting. Its my favourite blog, I adore the pictures of Charlotte!
There two pictures are no exception, she is absolutely gorgeous. Congrats on your happy, healthy, mischevious, beautiful one year old!!
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Hide and seek is the best game EVER. It is one of my best “play with the kids AND rock the baby at the same time” games. I sit on the couch and am the continous seeker and they all hide, very loudly and I just sit there and yell out all the ridiculous places they “might” be (potty, fridge, ceiling fan) and then finally “find” them by yelling out their spot. They love it!!
Happy Birthday Angel girl, you are one lucky baby to have such commited and loving parents! -
Happy Birthday Miss Charlotte!! You really are doing such an awesome job raising her, she has everything she could ever need.
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Happy Birthday Charlotte!!! I have been reading your blog for quite some time now (and have never commented) Sarah and it is so wonderful to see how much you love your baby girl! I have a 4 month old daughter and your blog has just solidified my sling-wearing, breastfeeding, co-sleeping, cloth diapering ways. I love reading about your adventures and the pictures are always so sweet. You are such a devoted mother and the way that you savour your little one is so contagious, you have really taught me just how to drink up all of the precious moments and just purely LOVE one’s baby! Many happy wishes to your baby Charlotte and your family!
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Happy Birthday to Charlotte!
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Happy birthday Charlotte.
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Happy Birthday Charlotte! You are a sweetie.
By kim on July 20, 2010
happy birthday charlotte. i’ve love reading about your first year, look forward to the next!