Happy Birthday to You, Frances

Frances is one! Such a big girl. For all the family and friends who couldn't join us, here's a little review of the day. Frances's Mimi, Mark and I did our best to make the apartment festive and Frances seemed appreciative.

She couldn't wait to get her hands on these new objects that had been hanging around the apartment but kept strategically out of reach.

"What is this and when can I touch/mouth it?" Frances wondered.

We unwrapped/mouthed the presents.

We carefully blew out the candles.

And then Frances mouthed the candle.

We tried for a decent picture of the three of us, but since two of the three of us don't enjoy getting our picture taken and the third of the three of us doesn't enjoy holding still, at least when there's nothing to mouth, this is the best we got.

And then it was everybody's nap time. It was a wonderful day. I would have loved to have all our friends and family here, but I'm looking forward to showing off our big One Year Old in the year to come. Prepare to be (or at least act) amazed!

O.k., Twelve Month Fun Facts

• Firsts: Frances waves frequently now and several times has waved and said something like "buh," so we may have her first word ("bye," that is). I couldn't convince myself it was anything but chance the first time, but it has happened several times now.
• Favorite Food: Veggie Booty. Don't ask, if you don't know. I blame my hippie sister Jocelyn and all her health food ways.
• Frequent comment: "She'll be walking any day now." See last month's fun facts for my response to this comment, although on Monday, Nov. 15, Frances took three steps on her own! I was so proud; Frances had no idea what the hubbub was about.
• Favorite activity: She likes to look at books. She loves to crawl as fast as she can from one end of the tub to the other during her bath. This is giving me gray hairs as it often involves collisions with the tub walls and swallowing water. I love when she and Sophia, her friend who is about ten hours older than Frances, try to use each other as standing props - it works out remarkably well and is still highly entertaining for the mothers.
• Stats: She was a champ at her One Year Old healthy baby check-up, even through the four shots. She is 30 3/4 inches tall (95%) and 20 lb.s 10.9 oz (50%), so long and lean as always. Mark and I have a bet about when she'll be taller than I am. I say it will happen by the time she's nine years old; Mark says ten.
  

We love this kiddo, and can't wait to see what she thinks of next!