Olive Irene at a year old

 My Livy,

It seems impossible that we've already had a year of you, Olive. You have always been such a joyful little thing even from the very beginning. People regularly ask us if you ever cry (I can assure you, you do - but not often). Your white blond curls always have strangers commenting and your toothy smile makes your Dad dizzy with love. Daddy says all the time, "Have you ever in your life seen something as cute as Liv?' (the answer is no, never). 

You have this hysterical voice you use if you are really frustrated, it's like there is a bubble in your throat and you get a really deep, throaty sound. We think you mean for it to sound angry, but it comes out sounding silly (like you're doing a character voice in a book), and it makes us laugh and swoon. You still use a binky at bedtime and you are an excellent sleeper/napper as long as we are at home. Because you prefer your crib and have trouble sleeping anywhere else (remind me to tell you someday about sleeping in a hotel room with you at one year old ...and by sleeping I mean- I got none). 

You can walk confidently and you have a little tippy-toe run that you do with your arms spread wide and look of terror mixed with excitement on your face. You have a bit of fearlessness in you when it comes to swimming, climbing on top of tables and chairs, and animals. We are trying to work through this with you, because it's not such a terrible thing to be a little cautious, baby girl, but I do love that you are adventurous and tough - you will need to be in life. 

I love you honey, but you are the grossest child we've ever had. You squeeze cheese balls until they are sticky, cheesy liquid all over your hands and then you touch everything and everyone. You are covered hair to toes after you finish eating anything, and you eat any food off the ground or dirt joyfully. You do not care about being clean at all - you are always in puddles or dirt or sand or mud or playing with the toilet bowl brush. You've tried to eat dog food, pinecones, worms, rocks, and chicken poop. Our wildling girl. I have to change your clothes 3-4 times a day because you are constantly covered in all.the.things. You haven't worn a pair of shoes a day in your life.

You love most foods: spaghetti and meatballs probably at the top of the list but cookies right below that. You are a little thief and love stealing things and carrying them around like you have so many things to do. Your favorite activity at your siblings' games is to take my purse and drag it on the ground while you look like you have important meetings to get to. You have a few baby dolls that you like to hold, but most of all you like whatever toy Red has at any given moment (as little sisters do). You have started to be interested in sitting on laps to listen to books and you could not care less about watching screens (although you love carrying phones around because of all your important meetings). You only want to go outside and wander around in the wide open space barefoot like the little wildling that you are. 

You love your brothers and sisters; smiling so big when you see them. Grey and Gem are your favorites, probably because they dote over you so much. They carry you around and kiss you a million times and give you bites of all of their food. Violet and Rusty still spend a lot of time in imaginative play, but they will both stop in their tracks if they see you to give you a kiss and a hug. You are starting to realize more that Reddy will be a playmate and the two of you already have a sneaky little smile that you share when you wake up in the morning or from a nap. It's kind of like,"oooh yes, what kind of trouble and fun can we get in to together?" 

You prefer being with me (mom), but dad is a close second. Gemma and Grey are your next two preferences and then you aren't too fond of many other people. Your grandparents, aunts, your godmother Heather, and Gemma's friend Peyton are all 'okay' to you, but only in short doses and as long as you don't make eye contact with your mom. You are a little bit of a bully to your cousin Wells (stealing his bubbas and binkies) but you two are learning how to recognize each other in play and it is the cutest thing. I love imagining you two growing up and getting into all kinds of fun and memory-making together. 

You have a big personality for such a young age. I've even asked Dad if maybe we let you grow too big for your britches too fast. You get so much free play and outdoor time and so much love and attention. Everywhere we go, people are always talking to you and showering you with compliments and adoration. Maybe we are making a monster of a child out of you - like a Veruca from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - but I will do my best to help mold all that baby-of-the-family-overwhelming-love-and-attention into confidence (instead of arrogance) and gratitude (instead of entitlement) and kindness (instead of narcissism). We will have to work together through that challenge because girl! - are you ever comfortable right now on your throne as Queen baby girl. 

I'm guessing like your biggest brother - you will get the best and the worst of your parents. We've been around the parenting block a time or two (or five) and now have a better idea of what to get worked up about and what's not worth the fuss. How lucky you are to follow behind your big brothers and sisters and have parents who have learned through the various ages and stages of childhood. This makes us both more patient in some ways and less patient in other ways.  And baby girl, I am sorry but you also get the most tired of us and the oldest version of us as your parents. Dad and I are determined to stay healthy, energetic, and playful for you as you grow up. You are an incredible motivation, thank you for that Louie. 

You were a surprise, no doubt -a wish that was made on a star when your momma was seven years old and loved babies and told everyone that someday she would have six kids! How thankful I am for my seven year old self who had a heart full of love and ambition to make that wish because you really are a dream come true, my Livy.

Livalou,

you are stardust and cupcakes and honey butter

you are all the joy that exists into the world smooshed together

everyone who sees you feels instantly happier

my spoiled little baby girl child

you deserve all the love and attention you get

because you serve it right back to all of us in your smile and laughter

my little dumpling; you are the sweetest thing

and I will be loving you forever and ever

and always be so grateful that you are our baby. 

momma.