11 months

December 25^th was not only Christmas but marked the 11^th month of life with Hannah. She must have thought we really went all out just to celebrate her 11 months, complete with special meals, decorations, a tree with lights, grandparents, frolicking in the snow, and presents to boot. Maybe next year she will understand Christmas better, that or think we are celebrating her 23^rd month.

We started the month with a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration with my side of the family. It truly was a special time spent with loved ones. This year we were especially grateful for Hannah and our family. We made the long drive back from Virginia to be welcomed home to a freezing house and a leaking pipe in our master closet. 

Four days later after many repairs we jetsetted to the sunshine state. We lavished in the 80 degree weather, perfect weather for the pool and boat. We made an early celebration of Christmas with Brian’s family. Hannah was smothered with love and attention from family and friends. It was nice to escape to warmer weather and absorb some natural Vitamin D. We had a lot of fun visiting new restaurants, breweries, the Florida aquarium, and of course hanging out with family.

We were yet again greeted home to a bitter cold house; more heater problems to be repaired. Fingers crossed, our heat has been working for about two weeks now. Once we finally got the heat running and new sheetrock and insulation installed in our closet we began the Christmas decorating. I was so glad for my parents to come visit for Christmas. We were all sad to see them go this morning. I think we all enjoyed the gorgeous snow that has been falling almost every day. Hannah's first Christmas (and 11 month of course) was definitely a white white Christmas. 

 This month was a big month for milestones for our little miss as she finally started crawling…and squatting, and climbing, and moving all about. She spends her days searching out specks of dirt on the floor, carefully inspecting them before eating them. Sometimes I try to stop her, while other times I throw my hands up in the air as if to be defeated by the never ending dirty floors. It is fun to see her explore and work so hard to get from point A to point B. She often says “ooof” and "arrrr" as she smacks her hands dramatically across the wood floors. 

 Her favorite things to say these days are “Whoo hooo!” “Who dat?” “Wooosh!” “Daddadada” and “Ooooo”. I personally think she has the cutest little voice, though she rarely says “Momma” anymore unless in moments of despair with most whiniest of tones. “Dada” however is always said with excitement and happiness. It still warms my heart that even though Dad brings all the fun she still says my name and lifts her arms up for me to pick her up when she is upset. The greatest thing this month has been her sleeping habits. I guess between all our traveling, she was exhausted enough one night to sleep through the night, a full 12 hours, and now most nights she sticks with that. I think it also helps that she can sit up and lay back down on her own.

Hannah also responds to verbal commands now. We like to call them tricks, you know like a little puppy dog. She gives kisses, claps, shakes her head no, waves goodbye, and growls. It is amazing how quickly she can pick up on word association. I probably could do a lot more with her along those lines if I were feeling ambitious. I think this month we have seen the most dramatic changes in her development and growth; it really is so cool and fun. It is also tugs at my heart a bit, seeing that she really is growing up and becoming more and more independent. As we celebrated Christmas and the birth of Christ, I couldn't help to think back and reminisce on this time last year as we anticipated the birth of Hannah. Every little decoration and Christmas event seemed to bring me back to that place of excitement. Here we are a year later with our sweet gift, as we also celebrate the gift and birth of Jesus. We have so much to be grateful for, this year especially.

 To the cutest little girl, so full of personality and happiness, thank you for filling our days with laughter and joy. My heart is overwhelmed with emotions seeing you grow up so fast. Eleven months you have gone from a helpless newborn to an independent explorer. Your bright eyes, wrinkled nose and tooth filled smile, big belly laugh,  sweet baby kisses and your cute little voice, these are a few of my favorite things. Every day you bring something new; I am never bored with you in my company. You make this life more fun, more sweet and filled with love. Merry Christmas and happy eleven months.