12 months.

The stickers have come to and end.
Wow, have we really been parents for 12 whole months?! It's amazing to think how far we've all come, and just how much this little person has learned in one short year. The amount of growing and learning a baby does in their first year is INCREDIBLE when you stop and think that they went from being able to do absolutely nothing for themselves, to eating, moving and communicating independently. She continues to blow us away every single day at the sweet, funny and clever things she does.
We hear ALL the time how cute she is. (At Costco recently, she had four adults who were shopping together stopped in their tracks staring at her - pretty funny, actually). But not only is she cute as all get out, she's stinking SMART. And so gentle and loving - she's already such a little mama. And curious. And friendly. She is truly a people person - she loves waving and saying 'hi' and 'bye' to people in stores. She has opinions, but we've got a great thing going on, and somehow it seems like we just get each other. I'm sure the tantrums will come, but so far, we're managing without them. I have never been more proud of anything I've done in my life, and cannot wait to see what the future has in store for this incredible little person. 

Some stats and more of what's making her special these days below:

As of 12/9/15:
Weight: 19 pounds, 12 ounces (50%)
Height: 29" (44%)
Loves: water (swimming and baths), swinging, going on walks/being outside, Penny, mom and dad, music class and music in general - she loves to dance!, books, her baby dolls, cheese, cottage cheese, berries
Hates: other than vegetables, there's not really anything she consistently hates
Size: some 9 month still fits, but mostly 12 month clothes (and the 6-12 mo gap clothes), and in size 3 diapers

-We've weaned another feed, and now we're down to morning, evening, and one before her afternoon nap. She seems to be adapting splendidly.
-At the ped appt, Dr. B was going through the fine motor checklist (pointing, clapping, etc). Brad wanted her to show off a bit, so told E to do "touchdown". She did, and Dr. B was amused. He about fell out of his chair, however, when E put her hands down and said clear as day "tuh-down". He sputtered, "Did she just say touchdown? Your 12 month old just said touchdown. I can't believe it! I'm going to be telling this story for years!". Pretty hysterical, and needless to say he's not the least bit concerned about her development :)
-She also clearly says "mama", "dada", "moo" (for moosh), "baba", "hi" and "bye bye"
-She knows that socks and shoes go on feet, and when she finds one of them, she either holds it up to her own foot, or puts it next to my foot.

Mom and Dad adore everything about her. She bring us more joy than we ever thought possible, and usually our favorite place to be is all together, our little family of three. What a year it's been.