Dear Burbles -- Month 11

Dear Baby Girl,
I can't believe that you are almost a year old. Where has the time gone? Every day now you become more and more involved in your world. You have been standing up all on your own, but you have yet to take your first steps. I am kinda hoping that you will walk sometime soon, even though I know I will regret saying that sometime in the near future. You are so proud when you stand by yourself and then when you sit down and everyone claps for you that you were standing, you clap too with a huge smile on your face. This past month has been a little rough and tumble for you. The bumps and bruises are more frequent now, and I am sure this is only the beginning. You are as daring as your brother. Just yesterday you got a fat lip from him headbutting you. You screamed and he felt bad, but accidents happen and you guys were playing rough on the floor. He loves to tickle you like that and you guys just laugh and laugh... until someone gets hurt. You give it back to him, though, and I love watching your interactions.
This month you started talking some. You say "Hi, Da." Dad would like to think that you say it just to him, but you say it to me too. I would like you to acquire the "Mmmm" sound sometime soon though. Then we can start working on the "mamamama". It will come. No pressure. You said "Hat on" clear as day when I was getting your winter clothes on and you spend lots of time chitter-chattering. "All done" is your expression of choice right now. You get "all done" with everything and you know how to use it correctly too. When we get down to your last bites of food, you say "all done" repeatedly. It is cute. You love giving kisses to will give them freely if asked. Sometimes they are a little sloppy but we love them anyway.
You climb the stairs like it is no one's business. You don't quite grasp the concept of edge, though, and you try to sit on the stairs but do not put your little butt on the stair. That could cause you some problems, so we watch you closely when you are on the stairs. It is getting warmer out and I can't wait for spring to be here. You enjoy being outside and I bet that you are just as anxious as the rest of us to get outside and get some fresh air.
We got some news just this past Sunday, March 9th, that your Great-Grandma Gummie had a terrible stroke and that she is in a coma out in California. I am so glad that you and your brother got to meet her before this happened. There are some nice photos of you with her and I will tell you all about her when you get older. The two of you share a birthday and she is the reason you have red hair and a fair complexion. She is also probably the reason you have a temper.
Easter is coming and I hope to get some great photos of you on this special occasion. I can't wait for your birthday party. We'll be having a joint party with Captain at least for the first few years.
Just know how much we love you, and, as Gummie would say, we love you more and more each day.
Love,
Mommy