Where Has the Time Gone?

Dear Isadora,

It seems like I blinked and you became a toddler.  You used to let me hold you in my arms and rock you to sleep.  Now, you demand that I put you in your crib and leave you be.  You used to eat anything I put into your mouth.  Now, you have definite opinions about the food you eat (I still don't understand your hatred for potatoes or mac 'n cheese).  You used to let me change your diaper with little or no fuss.  Now, you protest and squirm like I'm punishing you. 

You have become this vibrant little person who acts goofy and laughs and dances.  You're inquisitive and interested in the world.  You no longer eat books; instead, you make mommy and daddy read them to you over and over again, even as much as five times in one sitting.  You try to talk using words now. In fact, you use the following words and phrases on a daily basis:

• Up (used for both up and down)
• Elbow (for "Elmo" on Sesame Street)
• I did
• Mama
• Dada
• Open
• Oooooooh

I wish I could remember all the things you are doing now... I hope these pictures help to capture how much you are changing and how much you are becoming you.











Sometimes you look so grown up.  And sometimes, you look so small in this big, big world.  My cup runneth over.  Love you, baby girl.   

Love,

Mommy

A Day in the Park

Dear Isadora,

Sometimes the plans you have in life don't always work out the way you plan.  Sometimes it's a bad thing.  Sometimes it's a good thing.  Today, mommy's plans got cancelled.  But it worked out because your mommy decided to take this lemon and make lemonade.

When mommy's plans got cancelled, I looked at your daddy and said, "Let's take Izzy somewhere."  At first, we contemplated taking you to a museum, but then mommy had the brilliant idea of taking you to a park.  And I found the perfect one to take you to - Pullen Park in Raleigh.  It had everything your little heart could want - a train, a carousel, a cafe, a lake, and age-appropriate playgrounds.

After lunch, we packed up your diaper bag and headed out to the park.  It was a beautiful day.  The sun was shining and the weather was perfect.

You enjoyed playing in the sand.  (And in the mulch for that matter.)



You enjoyed swinging with daddy. (Sometimes you would even venture to let go of the swing with your hands in the air.  You're so brave.)





You enjoyed exploring the park's train car. (Daddy held you the whole time so that you would stay safe.)



And you enjoyed your very first carousel ride.  (The only time you cried was when the carousel slowed down to stop.)



We didn't get to ride the train, but we promise to take you to the park again one day soon so that you can.   I have a feeling that Pullen Park is going to become "our" place.

Thank you for a wonderful day.

Love,

Mommy

One Year Photos

Dear Isadora,

Today, we went to our favorite place, Portrait Innovations, to get your one year photos done.  We've taken you there twice before: once to get your 6 week photos and once to get your 6 month photos.  And just like today, they didn't disappoint.

We brought three outfits for you to change into today: a Japanese yukata, an Okinawan yukata, and one of your new birthday outfits.  You didn't enjoy changing your clothes or having mommy try to do your hair between takes, but you did enjoy all of the attention.  The photographer tried to get shots of you sitting down, but, for the most part, you refused to sit and wanted to stand as much as possible.  (We're starting to see more of this strong will of yours.  I think you get it from daddy, but daddy thinks you get it from mommy.)

Here are some of mommy and daddy's favorite shots from the shoot:










Aren't you a doll?  I think we're due for another family photo with you soon... I think we should all where our yukatas for it!  (Even Daddy!)  What do you think about that?  Yeah, I thought it was a brilliant idea, too.

Love,

Mommy

It's Confirmed..

Dear Izzy,

If you ever had a doubt, here's proof.  You ARE your father's daughter.



Mommy's in trouble.

Love,

Mommy

Splish Splash

Dear Izzy,

Now that you're older, bath times are becoming one of your favorite parts of the day.  An interesting this happened this week.  It was a serendipitous moment - your bottle of baby shampoo accidentally got knocked over one night after one of your nightly baths.  The next day when we prepared your bath, it inadvertently turned into a bubble bath.  It never crossed mommy and daddy's mind that you'd be ready for bubble baths, but you are.  You LOVED it.


Mommy and daddy enjoyed watching you play with the bubbles and touch them ever so gently and then bash them with your fists.  Seeing the world through your eyes is joy.

Thanks for helping us to see things for the first time, too.

Love,

Mommy

Happy First Birthday, Isadora!

Dear Isadora,

One year ago today, you made mommy and daddy's dream come true.




 Now you stand before us, a little person, so vibrant and full of spunk and personality.  It's been quite an amazing year being your mommy and daddy, my sweet baby.





 For your first birthday, we had a small, intimate party of close friends and family.  It was a hot day (over 100 degrees!), but we made due by staying cool inside and enjoying the taco bar that mommy and daddy made for your guests.  It was a packed house, but everyone made themselves at home.  We also set up a swimming pool in the back for all the kids to splash and swim in.  So much was going on, and it was all for you.



The most precious moment for me during your party was when we sat you in your high chair and gathered around to sing "Happy Birthday" to you.  The singing brought the biggest smile to your face, and you began clapping in joyous approval.  I almost cried...





After singing, we gave you your first birthday cupcake.  You weren't quite sure what to do with it.  But once you did, you didn't want to let it go!  In fact, you didn't let the cup cake leave your mouth for the longest time.  It was hilarious.





























The day went by so quickly.  At the end of the day, your daddy and I couldn't stop saying, "I can't believe we have a one year old!"  You've been a joy to have in our lives so far, Miss Isadora Yume.  I can't wait to celebrate many more birthdays with you.



 


All of our love,

Mommy and Daddy

Annual Patten Family Vacation: Corolla

Dear Izzy,

This year was your second trip with the Patten clan.  (You were only four weeks old when you participated in your first family vacation.)  Almost a year older, you got to really experience the joys of the Outer Banks for the first time and play in the ocean and in the sand.  Mommy and daddy were fully prepared for a week of changing poopy diapers full of sand, but, to our surprise, you never consumed one drop.  You were mesmerized by the texture of the sand and even tried to throw it around, but you never put any in your mouth.  And the ocean... You loved it!  We had to constantly keep an eye on you to make sure you didn't get knocked down by a wave.  Its vastness and its enormity did not scare you.  You seemed determined to conquer it.

We were also lucky enough to have a pool at the beach house we rented.  Unfortunately, the water was much too cold for swimming, but it warmed up by the end of the week.  While we waited for it to warm up, we made due with your very own blow up pool.











All week you got to spend time with all your cousins and aunts and uncles.  You aren't used to being around so many people, but you LOVED the attention.  I think our favorite time during vacation was the night we all went to the beach to take pictures.  Here are some of the shots we captured:
































It was wonderful vacation.  We got to reconnect with family and see you grow up before our very eyes.  We were sad to see our time end so quickly, but it just made us that much more excited for next year's vacation!






You have a whole year to rest up until the next one!

Love,

Mommy