Loving Lucy....

 When I had Lucy, the first thing I noticed was how much she looked like her "Bubby" and the second thing I noticed was that she had dimples. 

 I now know that the Lord blessed her with dimples because she doesn't smile near as often as her brother, but when she does, it's the delight of our hearts. The dimples also possess magical powers. The powers are used exclusively on her daddy and it's working. She and her dimples have him wrapped around her itsiest bitsiest finger. She can do no wrong in his eyes and I'm fairly certain she knows it. I've actually never seen anything like it.

Lucy knows what she wants and she goes to get it. While my son is under my foot ALL.THE.TIME, she prefers to venture out on her own. I have to "find" her daily, and when I do, she is usually playing quietly in a mess that she has created. 

 She's driven and opinionated and eats more in one meal than her brother eats in an entire day. Her mouth is always open for food and I have yet to see her refuse anything. 

  But she loves animals more than food. Animal Planet while enjoying a bottle? Well that's just heaven. 

 And she loves her "Bubby" above all of that. He's the only person she will willingly kiss and she goes out of her way to "hang" in his room. I'm so thankful they have each other. A sibling is such a sweet, sweet gift.

She's quiet as a mouse when she wants to be...

 ...and then when she has something to say, well watch out. She is Judy Moody, Crabby Patty, Rudith Judith, Sassy Sally...but she's the apple of our eye and she's funny to boot. 

 Our home would not be the same with out her giggles and girlish squeals.

These last 12 months have been so wonderfully exciting and challenging all at the same time. When you have your first child, you learn how much you can love. When you have a second child, you learn how much more you can. 

 Our hearts have grown in love and patience and we can't imagine our world with out Lucy. As her birthday approaches, I'm growing increasingly aware of the close of a chapter. The Newborn Baby chapter is exhausting and physically draining, but oh-so-wonderful. 

 At times I think that I didn't enjoy it as much as I should have, but then I realize that I could do the Newborn Chapter a million times and still be sad when it's over. I am so very thankful that I have been doubly blessed to have the gracious privilege of being a mom. I am so excited for the coming chapters of manicures, American Girls, and cookie baking, but for the next couple of days, I'm going to rock and enjoy my baby as much as I can. It goes by way too quick.