Birthday Girl- Julia is one!

Jules, I know that I frequently say "I can't believe that you're this old" or "that old." Well, you just turned one and- while I want to say I can't believe it, the truth is that I CAN and DO believe it. What I can't believe is that you're ONLY one year old. This year has flow by so quickly, and you've grown up so fast. You are an integral member of the family and have been for as long as I can remember. You have been here forever in my mind's eye; and we are the better for it. You may still not have much hair (thank goodness you have such an adorable head), and still hanging tight with only 7 teeth, but you smart, brave, funny, talkative, curious, even-tempered, loving and beautiful. You are one year old- 365 days- and you are your own person, unique in every way. You know what you want (bananas! shoes! baby!) and you tell us with your "words" (some of which are starting to sound curiously like English), or by pointing, or simply by going and getting yourself.

You've made such an impact on so many lives already- most importantly your brother, your mother, Toby, Preston and me. I am so thankful to have you as my daughter. And, as the song I sing you most nights goes, "there could never be a father loves his daughter more than I love you."

The week before your birthday, all of your American cousins and most of your Aunts and Uncles came up to celebrate with you!

You had ice cream and brownies, got some beautiful gifts, and enjoyed your family's company very much!

On your birthday proper- October 11th- I was fortunate enough to not have to go to work in the morning, so we got to spend the morning together.

You may have been a bit more interested in the tissue paper than the little gift your Mom and I got you, but that's a-okay. It was just fun giving it to you and being with you on the morning of the one year

anniversary of your birth. 

I remember holding you one year ago.

I was there when you came out, and you came into this world very calmly, and very loved. Not much has changed in those two regards: you're still pretty calm and even-tempered, and you're still very much loved.

You are so playful, curious, smart, funny, brave and pretty much all-around amazing.

See, even still photos are no match for your personality, my princess.

And they never were. You've grown from this:

To this:

To this:  

To this:

And now...

You are a brilliant, talkative, funny, sharp, brave, strong, beautiful young lady, Julia.

You LOVE bananas. 

You say "Mama," "Yaya," "Yee Haw!" and "Dada." You even have your own little words that sound close enough to (and are therefore used for,) "This," "That," "Dog" ("Bow wow"),  "Neigh neigh," "Ribbit," and "Banana."

You are tall and skinny. Doctor says you are in the 90th percentile for height and only 25th for weight.

You love books, you love your Mama, and Daddy and Brother. And your Mama... a lot. 

You are a cuddler, and a hugger. You give away kisses, and give me the best greetings when I come home from work (you come screaming, running at me!).

You are one year old, and you are an amazing young lady. We are so excited to see what wonders year 2 will bring!

You're Number One!

You're one!Actually, you've been one for over three weeks, but we've been having so much fun playing with your one-year-old self that I've hardly had time to sit down and write in your blog. And what fun it's been! About a month ago you hit the big o-n-e! We spent the day quietly with just your Mother, Me and you! It was a lovely day with lots of playing inside,

outside, fun pictures to be taken and good cuddles...

and eat a delicious avocado all over mommy and daddy.

We sang to you and bought you a balloon and just - all in all- had a wonderful day.

A week later we revisited the birthday theme with a lot of family and friends. That's right...it was your first birthday party!

A bunch of great folks came out to help you celebrate your 365th day on earth!

Everyone had so much fun!

Except for you. For just a little bit of it.

That's right: you had a major meltdown, and so I took you outside, where you and I watched the festivities from the window.

But your doldrums got a little better when we sang to you and gave you your first "cake!"

But, alas, you didn't really like the cake too much. But you did like plain old bananas a lot!

And, then you started to have fun again! Playing with and hugging/climbing on your loved ones!

Despite the minor meltdown, I'd say you had a great time at your first birthday party. you got to be with a lot of very cool people who love you very much. It'd be easy to say that the end of your first year gives a sense of closure... I mean, you're not a baby anymore, you're a toddler. You're not "Zero" any more-- You're "One." You're growing up so fast...too fast...right before our eyes!

But, this isn't an ending, it's a new beginning, and this year -and all the years to follow- will be full of new adventures, new fun, new milestones and new experiences for Mommy, Daddy and Aidan as we continue to learn and grow as a family (and Toby and Preston too).

We love you, birthday boy. And although we'll never forget our time with you as a baby, we are so thrilled to be with you everyday as you grow into a little boy.

I guess technically, I shouldn't call this journal "To Baby Weinstein, From your Dad" anymore--you're no longer a baby. But, you know what, I understand know when my Mom (your Mimi) would tell me that no matter how old or tall I got, I would always be her baby.

I feel the same way, Aidan: you will always be our baby, whether you're 1, 10 or 100. Happy Birthday, Baby-- we love you!