It's 2009, isn't it?

After yesterday's attempts to get Reese's 10 month picture, I realized today while uploading the pictures to edit that I didn't change the year to 2009. So, it's wrong, but unless I get motivated to print another sign and go through another photoshoot - that's how it's staying and I'll have a story to tell. So, while looking at the picture, ignore the fact that it says 2008 and not 2009. Because, yes, it really is 2009.

I know I should've posted these yesterday, but when I got home last night, I really didn't feel like taking the time to upload and then edit the pictures. I knew Clay was off today and would give me a few minutes to do it this morning when I was more energized. So, without further ado, I introduce to you my, now, 10 month old!



Believe it or not, I've already started brainstorming her 1st brithday party. I know who I'm inviting (we're so blessed to have friends with babies around the same age - I pray Reese will develop lasting friendships with each one of them), but I'm still researching themes and places. Before I had Reese, I dreamed of the day I could plan a first birthday party for my child. I thought it would be so fun to plan a special day for him/her complete with a theme and a big bash. Now, that the reality of it is all here, I'm not ready. It's hit me square in the eyes lately that she's growing up. She's doing 'toddler' things, like dancing and clapping, not 'baby' things anymore, like learning to sit up or getting her first tooth. How is it that the year and a half we were trying to get pregnant CREEPED by and now the first year of our daughters life has FLOWN by? It seems like just yesterday I was giving myself shots everyday and praying that IVF would work, knowing we had ONE shot financially. Has it really been almost 2 years since I've done that? WOW!

Now, I'll stop being all sappy and get to the real post. Yes, my sweet angel turned 10 months old yesterday. She is the JOY of our lives and each day I love her more than yesterday, but less than tomorrow. I always ask myself, how did I get blessed with such a gift? Each day she shows us some new trick or new babble and it's amazing her ability to do things!

All of you faithful readers know that this wouldn't be the 'monthly birthday post' without a list of things about Reese. Last month, it was a list of 9, and you guessed it, I'm making a list of 10 this month.

1. Reese LOVES to dance. You can see from the previous post/video that she has got some moves. Uncordinated moves, but moves, nonetheless.
2. She claps ALL the time. I recently bought a CD of kids songs and the first song of the CD is "If Your Happy and You Know It" and I turn it up way loud so we can both sing/clap along. Well, I sing, she claps. Yesterday, while in the car, she was throwing a fit in her carseat, but as soon as I turned on that song, she started clapping, still crying. It was precious!
3. In the bathtub, she has little squirt toys, and she loves for me to squirt them in her mouth. She gets the biggest kick out of that!
4. Unless it's naptime or bedtime, she will not sit with you to take a bottle. Ms. Independent takes it all by herself on the floor. She holds it with ONE hand at the end of the bottle so she has her other hand free to play with her toys.
5. Baby food is in the past. Except once in a while we'll sneak in a fruit. I tried oatmeal and fruit cups last week, she sucked the juice out of them and pulled the 'pieces' from her mouth and set them on her tray. This girl's all out texture. Just like her daddy.
6. If you have on jewelry or a phone in your hand, your her best friend. She LOVES to pull and suck on your jewelry and oh my word, if you have a phone and let her hold it, you've made her day. But, take either one of those away, and you've broke her heart.
7. When I turn on Sesame Street, she doesn't really care for it, but as soon as Elmo's World comes on, she'll watch it.
8. My girl has EIGHT teeth. A mouthful! And she HURTS when she bites you and LOVES to bite on anything that crosses her path.
9. Her babbling has started sounding like actual words lately. I LOVE it. It's precious to hear her 'talking'!
10. This one I'm not very proud of and am trying hard to change, but she claps when we tell her "No, No". Uh oh! But, in all honesty, she's learning the meaning of the word NO and I know, soon enough, it will become her favorite word. She knows how to shake her head no, and at first I thought it was part of her dancing, but now realize she does it at appropriate times, so it must be that she's shaking her head no now!

And I'll leave you with this precious side-profile of my sweet girl who's growing up way too fast!