for the baby

caroline elizabeth,
you, my sweet one year old, bring so much laughter to this home.  i tell you all day long how funny you are.  your noises, silly faces, mischievousness and character bring every single one of your family members smiles every single day.  we are so thankful for you.

your sisters love to push you in their baby stroller.  they whip you around the corners and you seem to thrive on adrenaline rushes.  

you have an enormous smile.  this picture doesn't do justice to how big it can get.

you chose not to flash your big smile on this trolly ride.   longest trolly ride ever.  

your favorite toy: connect four.  putting the pieces down the slot is your hobby.  i swear i have seen you try to make patterns.

it's just hallie and you when kinsley is at school.

one of my favorite recent pictures.  i love the hands and little teeth.  

you can find a number of body parts when i ask.  i am partial to your tongue and belly button.

this is it.  the face you make ALL THE TIME.  when you are mad, happy or just deep in thought.  you scrunch up your lips so your nostrils are covered.  it is a gift not many can do.  (readers....try it...can you block your nostrils with your lips?)  

you ALWAYS want to be near or on me.  i give it a couple weeks before you can shimmy up my leg.

i love my little walker.

this is another thing unique to my girl.  when you are upset or frustrated you get in this position.  that means you are in this position lots.  

 you prefer to be off the ground.  you are pretty proficient at climbing on top of things that you should not be on top of.  

 sometimes, just sometimes you get new outfits that are not hand-me-downs.

you are a beautiful thing, miss caroline.  thanks for making this year one of my favorites.