Piper One Year Old

Piper is One Year Old today! Wow was that the hardest year of my life. Looking back over the last year I have to say that it was EXHAUSTING. I got hardly any sleep, I only had time to shower very other day, and I had baby food, spit up, ect. all over myself all the time. But was it all worth it ????. . . TOTALLY. I don't regret having two little ones only one year and one week apart. It has been very rewarding and I know that it is only going to get better.

Piper was very challenging at first. She cried a lot and only wanted to be with her Mommy. I loved the fact that she was attached to me. Pennington wasn't ever really attached to me so it felt really nice to know that one of my children was. I am very happy to say that I made it a whole year breastfeeding. Part of the reason Piper was so challenging was the fact that I wanted breastfeeding to work so bad that I would let her leave my side for more than a hour for the first four months of her life. While I wasn't able to exclusively breastfeed her, I was able to breastfeed her as much as I could. We just ran out of formula today and I don't plan on buying any more. We are going to start her on Soy milk just like her brother.

Did you know that Soy milk is actually a lot better for you than cows milk? Now I know not everyone will agree with me but I am 100% okay with the fact I have been giving my children soy milk rather than cows milk. Here is the reason why. . . soy milk has no cholesterol, same amount of calcium, about 10 times more Omega-3s, 1.5g less fat (that is the only draw back as kids need fat), basically no saturated fat compared to cows milk, and best of all 33% less sugar. That's right folks LESS SUGAR. Compare the facts people soy milk is good for you. As an auditor I would like you to know that I have audited the facts on the side of the Silk soy milk containers and their facts are true. I would also like you to know that not all soy milk or cows milk is created equal. Make sure you read the labels.

Here are some fun facts about Piper:

* She likes to do pretty much everything her big brother does.

* She likes listening to bedtime stories with Pennington. The other day she brought me a book to read to her which is HUGE for Piper. She has never really enjoyed being read to until now.

* She likes to pretend to cook and clean.

* She will eat pretty much anything you put in front of her

* She currently has 5 pearly white teeth

* She makes you work for a smile

* She is just starting to consistently wave hello and goodbye. She is even starting to say goodbye.

* She knows how to sign more which looks more like clapping.

* She loves going to "Kids Club" at Golds Gym

* She can climb up the stairs at a playground and go down the slide all by herself

One other thing I just have to mention is that she has never slept through the night. Yes people I have gone an entire year sleeping less than six hours at a time. I just keep hoping at some point she will start sleeping. I tried to sleep train her but then I just gave up. I realized that she is going to be my last child and I wanted to cherish these moments of waking up with her 3 times a night and sleeping with her half the night. I know it sounds crazy but at some point I just decided it wasn't worth listening to her cry anymore. I just wanted to snuggle with her.

Little Miss Piper Mommy loves you very much. You are turning into a very special little girl. Below are a few recent pictures of my little princess.