Happy 1st Birthday Louise!

Exactly one year since the arrival of our Louise. It's shocking how quickly these months have flown by, how much she's changed and enhanced our lives and how impossible it is to remember life before her.

In addition to the obvious growth and changes in Louise over this year, Scott and I have been transformed (for the better) too. We talk about how as parents we finally, really and indisputably feel like adults. About the huge and immeasurable love that pours from us into her- a type of love unknown to us before. How, if necessary, I could lift a car or hurl a boulder to save our little cub. So many mysteries about being a parent (and perhaps a human) seem to have been unlocked by this small child. I get it now.

In light of all this I am immensely grateful to our parents. This is a job fit for superheroes. Mom, Dad, GB and Po, thank you.

Now back to Louise. On the occasion of her 366th day of life we wanted to tell you a little bit about who she is as a one year old. Louise, as many of you may know, is a fireball. She has more energy than your normal, run-of-the-mill toddler and can pitter patter the length of our apartment in the blink of an eye. She bypasses toys in favor of books and stuffed animals, with one of each usually in her arms as she cruises around. She's very affectionate and loves to kiss, hug and snuggle. She says these words: hot, nigh night, tickle tickle, dada, mama and that. She's willful and opinionated when it comes to eating foods other than fruit or yogurt. She's a social animal and lights up when she sees her cousins, other children, and to their horror, dogs- Theo in particular. She's got spirit and spunk and we love her.

Happy Birthday Louise!

Also, thank you to our loyal blog followers. Sharing with you all the loving, humorous, and exciting moment in Louise's life has been an honor. Knowing that you're out there feels like we're building an even wider circle of love around her.