Rori is one!!

This was probably one of the longest, most exhausting years for me as far as mothering goes. Having a baby, a 2 year old and a 3/4 year old was hard. Rori really isn't much easier for me, but the other two are at least old enough to do things on their own now, and it takes some of the load off of me. At 4/5, Josie is pretty helpful and at almost 3, Donny is quite the little helper. But since this post is about Rori, here's a little about our little firecracker:

*She is loud and determined. She definitely cries more heartily and more in general that my other two combined. She is quite particular. I MUST hold her most of the time. She is intense. 

*She is smart. All that tagging along on my hip has taught her a lot and allowed her to see everything. As annoying, tiring, and inconvenient as it is, I am happy to do it if that's what she needs. I always feel bad for babies that spend most of their time on the floor, car seats, or crib. How do you learn anything there? I think babies learn best when they are face to face with people and seeing everything you see. Apparently, it's worked cause she is very observant and especially sensitive to peoples emotions. 

* She is running, climbing up and down stairs, clapping, singing, giving "eskimo kisses," and lots and lots of snuggles.

*Did I mention she is snuggly? Like, wraps her arms around you and buries her head in your shoulder snuggly. She loves giving and receiving hugs and kisses. (Those irresistible, squishy cheeks!!) Like every second of every day. I love, love snuggling her, but holding her all the time is super exhausting. See point one above : )

*She LOVES her big sister and tolerates her brother. They are both super sweet with her, but Donny is a bit more "hands on" with his love, so she's a bit tentative with him. Every morning, my sweet, sweet Josie takes Rori into her room to play with her so I can sleep in. I am usually still in zombie mode, but I can hear them in there giggling and playing as Josie dresses her up and gives her toys to play with. Is Josie a gem or what?

*Dogs. Rori's favorite thing is dogs. I have never seen her happier than when she sees or touches a dog.  Squeals of joy!

* Still has 8 teeth. I've considered that maybe her grumpiness is from molars or incisors possibly coming it. It still remains to be seen. 

* drinks independently (messily) from a cup and is starting to use utensils. She can poke eggs with a fork and get them into her mouth.

*favorite foods are frozen blueberries, strawberries, yogurt, peas, fish, nuts (yes, somehow she eats these and doesn't choke. I learned this after she kept sneaking them) cereal, and whatever crumbs she finds around the house. She pretty much only drinks water and breastmilk. Yep, still nursing. 

*Still 2 naps during the day. A bit better at night now, but still not sleeping through. She wakes once or twice, but it's short lived. She's in bed at 7ish and sleeps till at least 1 before waking, sometimes not until 3. Then wakes again at 5 or 6 and is up at 7ish. Not bad, really. 

*Her eyes are the weirdest color. I don't even know what color they are. I *think* they will be green like mine, but lighter. They might stay bluish. Right now they are a light blue/grey/green. 

*in many ways she reminds me of Josie as a baby, but overall, this girl has her own dynamite personality.

*we love her so much!!!