The Hobson Family

Dear Emily,

Well, we've made it to your 1st birthday! I just cannot believe how fast this past year has flown by. You've changed so much since you were born and I've learned a lot too! You are my first sweet baby, so we've had to do a lot of learning together. You know, there isn't an instruction manual on how to be a Mommy. It takes a little patience and a lot of prayer...a lot of calling Aunt Lisa and Aunt Melissa for advise too! Oh how I with my Mama was here for my questions, but I generally can figure out what she would say or do in situations. Her voice is never far gone from my mind. =)

Thankfully, we've been blessed with a very healthy, happy baby girl, so honestly, my major questions have been few and far between. I've really had NO problems or issues with you at all in your 1st year of life. You've never been sick, you've never really had any tummy trouble (thanks to nursing), you've only had diaper rash once, you've never had an ear infection. You are always so happy and sweet. I couldn't ask for a better baby! Sure, there were times when I would have questions or doubt myself or decisions I would make for you, but all-in-all, things have gone very smoothly. I hope I can say the same thing this time next year as we move into your 2nd year! I'm very aware that it will only get harder as you develop your own thoughts and opinions on things. =)

You've grown a whole lot since you were born. Born only a very small 5 lbs, 13 oz and 18 1/2" long, you are now weighing in at 18 lbs (10% for your weight) and 28 3/4" long (45% for your height). You're still a "small" girl, but as my mama (your Mimi) use to tell me, "that's just how God made you." He made me and Daddy pretty small too, so it's to be expected. =)

We had a very busy month this past month..the fair came into town, so we were excited to take you to your very 1st Fair. Although, you were to small to ride any rides, you still had a lot of fun looking at all the lights.

Well, actually, you went to the fair last year too, but you just couldn't see anything. =)

You didn't like the petting zoo very much though...

Fall is my favorite time of year. I love the cooler weather, Fall decorations, Halloween, and now I can add your birthday to the list! While this wasn't your first "Fall," it was the first Fall you could really enjoy Fall activities since you were just a newborn baby last Fall. You know Mommy has got to get some "Fall Pictures" of my baby girl! Aunt Lisa and I made you and Abby little Fall outfits too!

See how much you've changed since last Fall!

Abby wasn't into taking the Fall pics, but Anna Lauren sure had fun!

We visited Nana Irene's house. Nana Irene is actually Abby's Nana, but you call her Nana too. =) She is so sweet and loves you very much too. She has lots of horses at her house, so we went to check them out. Maybe one day you can ride one of her horses!

Pawpaw, Granny, and Aunt Lisa also spend lots of time with you. You are a very lucky girl to have so many people that love you!

Another fun Fall activity we did this past month was the Canton Flea Market. Me and you had a "girls" day and went just the two of us. It was such a nice, breezy day. We had fun walking around looking at all the pretty stuff. I REALLY hope you like to shop girl b/c your mama sure does! Mimi also LOVED to shop, so maybe it's genetic. =)

Another comparison picture...this was me (and you) at the Canton Flea Market last year!

Halloween is just around the corner and I'm so excited! Halloween is one of my favorite holidays - it's just so carefree and fun. Aunt Lisa and I have you and Abby's costumes all ready to go and I can't wait for you both to wear them. I also made you a little Halloween witch hat t-shirt.

I also LOVE Halloween decorations. I try to add a new decoration each year. One of my favorite decorations is our "Treater Greeter" or what I simply call our "Spook." Mimi actually bought him for me a few Halloweens ago. He is so cute. He is motion activated, so when Trick or Treaters come to the door, he says "boo" and opens his arms and wiggles. Sadly, you were so scared of him. Maybe next year, he'll be more fun. =)

Mommy just loves, loves, loves spending fun holidays with you. It's like I get to live my life all over again through your eyes. I can't wait to see your excitement during holidays as you get a little older.

You are still loving story time. You've started to venture away from Mommy a bit and crawl to the center of the room. We also got to wear our Halloween costume to story time. While this isn't your exact costume, it's a sneak peak at what it will look like. =)

This past month we also celebrated your friend, Ethan's, 2nd Birthday at the Agricultural Museum. It was a lot of fun - we got to tour the museum and ride the train. I'm so lucky to have such amazing friends who also have kids. I'm excited to have you grow up surrounded by sweet, caring people. =)

You also made a new friend this past month, Cooper Richard Calvert. This is Anna Lauren's new baby brother. I'm sure you two will become great friends.

You aren't walking by yourself yet, but are walking with a little help.

Walking or not, you are on the move and into everything...including your puppy sisters' doggie crate. =)

You still scrunch your nose when you smile really big - it's the cutest thing ever!

I mean really, can you get any more adorable?

A few milestones this past month...

You started doing itsy bitsy spider. It's the cutest thing ever. You make the spider motions with your hands when I start singing the song.

You also FINALLY got some teeth! Two teeth actually! Your front bottom teeth came in almost at the same time, poor baby. =( But, with new teeth come learning to brush your teeth. You LOVE getting your teeth brushed. I guess it feels good on your gums and the toothpaste tastes good to you too.

You also started giving us kisses and hugs. My heart absolutely melts when you lean your little head on my shoulder to "give love." Your kisses are so sweet too. They are big, wet, open mouth kisses! Ha!

A HUGE milestone this past month for both of us was weaning off nursing and onto whole milk. It was just in the nick of time too because of your teeth coming in now..haha! I can now say we are totally weaned and you are on whole milk 100%. You are also totally off bottles too and on sippy cups 100%! I've packed up all bottles and bottle accessories and stored away until our next baby comes along. Wow, I no longer have a baby taking a bottle! Sad. =( I was a mean mommy...weaning you off the boobie AND bottle at the same time. But, I felt they were sort of one in the same and was optimistic that you could do it. Sure enough, you did great! I have mixed emotions about ending our nursing, but it was time. You can't stay my little baby forever. =(

Your biggest milestone is turning ONE! Of course, I was obsessed with making your 1st Birthday Party perfect - After all, you only get one "first" birthday! First, I started with taking your "1 year pictures." I created two different outfits with two totally different looks. I loved them both and couldn't decide, so I used them both! =)

The first outfit was a very "sweet, girlie girl" look. (Shirt made by Mommy - Design inspired by Aunt Lisa/Abby Grace)

Special thanks to Brandi for helping with this shoot...

The other outfit was still sweet, but with a little "edge" to it. It also more closely matches your birthday party color scheme of black and white damask and pink. (Hat and Shirt made by Mommy).

Special thanks to Daddy and Aunt Lisa for helping with the shoot...

Well, your birthday party is tomorrow (October 23rd). This day is extra special because it is also your Mimi's birthday. She would have LOVED to share her birthday with you. When I found out I was pregnant with you, I was hoping to have you on her birthday (even though you weren't due until November 3rd). Early in my pregnancy, I even asked my dr. if it would be possible to be induced on that day, but she said no. However, you made other plans...you wanted to share your birthday with your Daddy, so you made your grand entrance into the world on October 22nd...fast and furious - not even giving Mommy time to get an epidural!!

Sweet girl, you have no idea how much joy you have brought into my life. This past year has been the best ever and I can't wait to spend many more years with you. I know I have to soak these days up because some day, very soon, you'll grow up and have babies of your own. Only then, will you truly understand how much I love you. My mama use to always tell me that, but I never really got it until now. I wish so much that she was hear for me to tell her...I understand now...I understand how much she loves me! It's a crazy love...full of all kinds of emotions. But, it's a love like no other - a mother's love is unconditional forever and ever. You will always be my little Emmie...my sweet punky...my baby girl...forever. Happy 1st Birthday, baby doll!