Happy First Birthday, sweet Vera!

Some milestones:
-weighs 18 pounds
-is going to be a big sister in about 6 months!
-said “water”
-waves at everyone when saying “hi” or “bye-bye”
-loves to eat
-favorite foods include watermelon, bread, cheese, hummus, baked beans, blueberries, fried potatoes, and scrambled eggs
-still nursing 4-5 times a day
-still naps twice a day
-sleeps about 12 hours at night
-adores Mommy & Daddy and prefers them to anyone else 🙂
-covets other children’s pacifiers, even though she’ll never take one
-still just has two teeth
-enjoys swimming in the pool
-first “morning chore” is helping feed the kitties their breakfast
-runs!

Dear Vera,

Happy first birthday!  We can hardly believe that a whole year has passed already.  It doesn’t seem like so very long ago that we were in the hospital meeting you for the first time.  You were so beautiful and precious then, and you have become even more precious to us since then!

We are excited about the lovely little lady you are becoming and each new milestone thrills our hearts.  Everyone who meets you tells us how sweet and beautiful you are.  People are amazed at how well (and how much!) you eat and how independent you are.

We know you are going to be a wonderful big sister to the new baby coming in February.  You already understand so much now that it will be neat to see how perceptive you are by then.  We expect you will want to cuddle lots with the new baby, just like you enjoy doing with our very patient kitty!

You are a blessing from God and we are so thankful that He gave you to us one year ago today!

All our love,

Daddy & Mommy