Sarah at ONE YEAR!

Wow - one year. Shortest (and longest) year of my life! It has been such an incredible blessing to watch Sarah grow. 

Her personality shines more and more every day. She is extremely social, often yelling and waving at complete strangers until they pay attention to her. She has a shy side, too. Usually when she's tired. Or flirting.

Sarah's hugs and kisses are amazing. She air kisses or open mouth slobbers. Her hugs are either full body slumps or pats on the back.

She's a walking machine and signs like crazy. She loves to figure out how things work, especially lids/covers. She still loves her puppy. She often asks to go outside (pointing at the sliding door) and is great at helping weed the strawberry patch.

Sarah's favorite foods are eggs and strawberries. She also has strong preferences for the order of foods (for example, she will eat a banana for breakfast, but only AFTER her egg). 

Sarah at 11 Months

11 months?! That's one month away from A YEAR! Where did this year go? 

Sarah is a BUSY little girl. I am told this regularly, so I know it's not just in my head. She is constantly exploring and almost never content to just sit - unless Daddy is reading to her in the morning. She loves figuring out how things work (her favorite is plugging and unplugging the bathtub drain!)

She is officially a walker, taking steps on her own almost daily. But she still prefers to grab our fingers and lead us around the house that way. 

Sarah can tickle her toes & belly and brush her teeth if you ask... And if you're feeling adventurous, she will even find your belly button or brush your teeth for you! She also wiggle-wiggles (which is the same as the no-no-no game, but when she's a talker, wiggle-wiggle just sounds like something I'd rather listen to), claps, signs "more" and "milk", and "folds" laundry.

Teeth numbers 6 & 7 are trying to poke through and causing all kinds of snotty, drooling trouble (story of Sarah's life it seems).

Her favorite toys are her two puppies. Poor Ginger is old news. She loves peas and waffles (together) but still gets most of her nourishment from milk. 

This is a more accurate depiction of how these photos go lately! 

Sarah at 10 months

Our little love's personality is growing as fast as her body! She "talks" all the time and now officially says "daddy" (not just dada)! She loves reading, especially with Daddy in the morning. She listens to "I am a Pizza" almost daily (Dad's fault, not Mama!). She never lets us forget that bath time always follows dinner. Her poor puppy went from being just another toy to the most beloved, dirty, germy comforter in our house. She has 5 teeth now and is using them to chew anything she can get her hands on. She loves her fork and any food she can eat on her own. She'll stand on her own - as long as there's a toy in both hands and Mama and Dad don't help her get there! She's also really into giving things kisses, especially the baby in the mirror.

Oh, and she hates sitting still ;)

Weekends

Just hanging out with Auntie Alice :) 

And Sarah even got her first 4-wheeler ride!

Sarah at 9 Months

Sarah is so not into the photo thing this month! But here are some things she IS into: saying dada, dancing (more head bobbing, really), singing, growing teeth, pulling herself up on walls, eating seaweed & quinoa (and ANYTHING that's on Mama or Dad's plate), walking along the couch, and waving (she even adds in a "buh" most of the time!) She has stood unassisted a few times, but doesn't seem to remember she knows how to do it ;) 3 teeth (two bottom, one top) in and a 4th that'll probably break through tomorrow. She also had her first real road trip with her friend Henry. It wasn't the most stress-free thing we've ever done, but we survived!

And just to show how much Sarah REALLY HATES teething:

It's been awhile

We have been going stir crazy with this weather! If it's not FREEZING, it's snowing. Fortunately, Grandpa Matt snow-blowed for us. Sarah and I started going to music group and she LOVES it. She mostly likes to try to eat the instruments while yelling, but I think we've found her passion ;)

Here are some fun photos so you can get your Sarah fix:

Playing in her toy bin

And looking all grown up

Finger painting with pesto

And my absolute favorite recent photo, because oh my gosh adorable! It makes my heart melt every time :)