Looking back on the last 12 months

When I think about the last 12 months, I equate it to survival.  Sure my life was drastically altered when I lost my job but I'm talking more about what an impact Darcy has made on our family.  I joke with people that I looked so much younger in my pictures a year ago.  I do feel like I've aged.  Darker circles and more gray hair.  I would say it's safe to say that Darcy has been a challenging baby. 

Look at this little thing.  Who would have known what a firecracker she'd be.

BUT, this is not a blog entry to document how tough she's been.  For the record she is 5489% better these days.  Rather, I want to celebrate the little person Darcy is as she turns one year old!

Things that make me smile about Darcy:

• She races down stairs like no child I've seen.  Crawls to the edge, turns around and flies down backwards on her belly.  I get nervous she's going to catch a foot or knee and go flying off, but so far so good.
• We've given up on blocking the stairs to go up. She climbs over whatever we place there.
• She's fearless when she gets down from our bed.  Turns around and drops without a second thought. Then falls to her bottom and off she goes.
• She loves the little loveys I have made for her.  She will wait for us to come get her in the morning after screaming to let us know it's time to get up.  And when we walk in she is standing in her bed, facing the door with her elbows and forearms up on the bed railing.  She's always holding a lovey and when we walk in will hold it out for us so we can hug it.  She'll say "Awwwwwwww" when she holds it out. 
• She will climb on top of the dishwasher door if we let her "help" with the dishes.
• She likes to climb all the way back into the kitchen cabinets to get to the dishes I don't want her to have.
• If you get her started on pictures on the wall, she knows where every picture of Camryn is in the house.  She'll point to one and then when you take her over there she'll turn and point in another direction toward a different picture. 
• She talks to you about the pictures.  Mostly says "Go-ga?"  We think that is either Camryn or Sissy because it's typically pointed to Camryn pictures.
• She enjoys playing with magnets on the refrigerator.  I remember when Cam went through this phase (thank you Dad, for the scratch free magnets that are still coming in handy).  But what's so fun is she will have a conversation with herself about the magnets.  I've got to capture on video.  She just talks and talks.
• She isn't walking yet, but walks along the walls a lot.  She'll crawl up to a doorway, stop and stand up at the doorframe and work her way into the room.  When she sees that the wall moves in a direction different that the way she wants to go, she'll pop back down and be on her way.
• Lights up when she sees Camryn.  Will crawl over to her and collapse into her like she's hugging her.  So precious.
• When she asks for more using sign language, it's more like a clap.  At least we know what she means.
• She loves cookies as much as her momma does. :)
• She gives me zerberts on my arm.

Love you Darcy!