Dear Sage at 12 months,

Time has ticked by and right before my eyes you have become one year old. Sadly I feel like so much of this year has slipped through my fingers. With the stress of working full time and learning how to be a Mommy it has all gone by so fast. The precious memories of your different stages are securely locked in my heart but it’s hard to remember that you were anything but the child you are today. Once in a while you glance at me in a certain way or lie on your back and grab your feet or snuggle up in your car seat and I am reminded of the baby you once were. I wish with all my heart that I could have been so immersed in your growth that I would be writing this with more memories than I knew what to do with. Lucky for us though, we both have these blog posts to help us remember. And someday, if you ever have a younger sibling and forget that for years you were the one and only center of our world, you can read these memories and be certain that you were given all of our undivided attention and love.

To kick off your 12th month you were in Maui. Two days after passing your 11 month birthday we got a wonderful movie of you walking down the sidewalk! We were so, so, proud of you and are thrilled that not only did your Mommy and Daddy get married in Maui but Maui was the place you learned to walk. You had been taking a step or two since 10 ½ months but Maui was really where you mastered it. Maui was also the first place you rode on a surfboard. You and Daddy caught your first wave together at Laniopoko Beach Park. Watching you out there with your Daddy brought so much joy to my heart. I was thrilled that you were able to experience a pastime your Daddy and I love so very much. It may be too soon to tell for sure but if your present skills hold steady then I can confidently say that you, like your Daddy, have gills. The water is home to you. You have no problem going under, blowing bubbles, sliding off the edge, and attempting to swim on your own.

Here are some other special features of you as a one year old.

• You LOVE your sippy cup. You get the biggest grin on your face when I hand it to you.
• You prefer to eat with a bowl and a spoon even if it means half the amount of food actually gets in your mouth
• You quite often still fall asleep in the car.
• You don’t like having a poopy diaper.
• You successfully sign for “food”, “more”, “milk”, “up”, “all done”
• Nursing you is quite funny now. You are curious about the whole operation and examine me like it’s the world’s greatest mystery.
• You have also started pulling my shirt down when you want to nurse and I have to remind you of the polite way to ask for milk.
• You always prefer to be outside. No question. If there is an open door you will find it!
• You are not afraid of dogs. Our neighbor’s dog Maggie licks your face and you barely notice. You spend a lot of time with Auntie G’s dogs and I think Luna could babysit you if we’d let her. She follows you around and keeps a close eye on all that you are up to.
• We went to Zoomars and you were deliberate and brave about feeding carrots to the Llama. Animals don’t worry you.
• You are brave. It’s uncanny. You climb right to the top of the big kid slide and throw yourself down. Watching you do this practically gives me a heart attack but I have to trust that you know what you are doing.
• We think you might be left-handed.
• You have fallen face first in the sand a few times but you pop up with a smile on your face.
• You have almost figured out how to do a forward somersault
• You love going fast. The faster the better.
• You adore bike rides with your Daddy. This is where you get to go fast. You two have clocked 30 mph and you screech with laughter.
• You have figured out that keys open doors.
• You love picking out what jacket you are going to wear.
• You like having your shoes put on and taken off.
• You like to play with the baby dolls at daycare. You pat their backs and put them to sleep.
• You are a great eater and enjoy spicy food.
• You continue to like Kalamata olives.

Sage, you are the sparkle and joy in my life and there is no person I look forward to seeing more than you. I wish my memory were a giant tag board, big enough to post every single moment with you on its massive face. Then I could close my eyes and drop in to the month or day of my choosing and experience your magic all over again. As a person of many words it humbles me to realize that every month there really are not enough words to capture how precious you are to me.

“You are my angel, my darling, my star… and my love will find you wherever you are”

Love,

Mama

Playing at the Haiku Mill. The site where Mommy and Daddy got married. It was our 2 year anniversary.

All of us at the Haiku Mill.

Where we said our vows.

You and Daddy playing in Maui

Zealand, you, and Jacob hanging out on the paddle board.

One of many dips in the ocean

You love getting dirty in the sand.

I am in love with your little feet!

waiting for some waves

You and Daddy paddling for your first wave

Catching your first wave!

Bathtime

Zoomars! The petting zoo within walking distance of our house.

Often when you go down slides by yourself you start on your bottom and flip over half way down and end up on your tummy.

At the park near the San Juan Train Station.

Hanging outside

Jason, Veronica, Jacob, you, and me on the Artoff’s sailboat in Marina Del Rey

Enjoying your birthday breakfast. A chocolate chip waffle with strawberries and powdered sugar!

Dear Sage,

You have been with us just a few short weeks but have enhanced our life in the most beautiful way. The first few days were spent holding and gazing at you. Touching your feet, your tiny hands, your beautiful face, as if we were checking to see if you were real. As the days passed we ventured outside, on walks, on car rides, trips to the pediatrician, midwife, grocery store, etc.  While you are still so new to this world there are a few glimmers of your personality that you have shared with us. You have a very peaceful look behind your gorgeous almond eyes as you process all the new sights and sounds surrounding you. You love the water. Your Daddy and I adore getting in the big tub resting you on our legs and floating you about in the deep water. The minute we lower your body into the warm bath you become so serene and thoughtful. However, the minute we lift your body from the bath and place you in a towel, you tense up and let out a heartbreaking cry. You like the shower and don’t mind the water splashing your face and body. If it were up to you I think you would grow gills and stay there. Fine with us. We hope it means you will love the water as much as we do. You are a good sleeper. At night you are very sweet, hardly needing to be burped before falling back into a deep slumber. You sleep right between us on a pillow so we are lulled to sleep by your sweet coos and gentle breathing, sometimes you snore and that makes us laugh. The daytime is a little trickier as that seems to be the time you have more gas and need a little extra care when falling asleep. You mostly like riding in the car but if you are trying to fall asleep in your car seat and we come to a stoplight, you whimper. If the stoplight stays red too long, you start to cry. The car has magical powers but only if it’s moving. Your Daddy has magical powers too. He is very good at calming you when you are upset. I think you sense how calm he is and it helps you to let go of your frustration and soften onto his shoulder. You love the outdoors. When you are struggling during the day, we take you outside. The breeze on your face, the sounds of the neighborhood, and the sunshine usually settle you right down. Your Daddy likes to show you the plants and flowers on the street and you gaze at them as if you already appreciate their beauty. I like putting you in your carrier and taking you on walks so you can say goodnight to the Ocean. It’s a nice way to settle down after a busy day and it puts you right to sleep. I love the scrunched up face you make when you begin to eat, and the way your cheeks bob up and down while you settle into a meal. Sage we are entranced and overwhelmed by our love for you. Thank you for this first month. We love you.

Enjoying the sunlight streaming through the window

Doing work with Daddy

Bath time with Daddy

Bath time with Daddy