She's growing so fast

A week from today Elissar will turn one year old. It is really hard
to believe that she has grown so much in the space of one year. She
is a completely different person than she was a year ago. It makes me
excited to see what she will be like in another year.

Today, she waddled the length of the couch, along the wall and into
the kitchen. That is amazing to me. Just a month ago, she wasn't
able to stand against furniture for more a few minutes. She is also
definitely calling me "mama" consistently and whenever she wants me.
I love it. She will also repeat bye and baby and babble baba all day
long.

Cruisin'

So Elissar is finally moving around on her own. She is so happy with
herself, now that she can confidently waddle around the couches and
coffee tables. She is even attempting to take a few steps to get from
one piece of furniture to another. So far she has been unsuccessful,
but I imagine in a few weeks time Elissar will be able to get herself
from place to place with ease.

Something else Elissar has really started to love is the bike she got
for Christmas. She really LOVES it. For the first time I have
something that will keep her entertained for more than 5 minutes. I
LOVE her bike. It is actually a pretty nice toy (if I was smaller I
wouldn't mind riding on it myself). Right now it set up so she can
rock back and forth on it. When she is a little taller I will put the
wheels on so that she can move around. It also has a ton of buttons
she can play with and a lighted display that she finds fascinating.
The only downside is that the volume can't be turned down, so we are
all listening to the same songs again and again and again. Even as I
type this I can hear "The wheels on my bike go round and
round..." (Mary is supposed to be getting herself dressed but I think
she is just letting her play instead)
.

Daily E!

I think Elissar is going to be a reader. In Asian countries when a
child turns one the parents and family surround the baby with various
objects. Which ever object the baby grabs first is supposed to
predict the child's future career. For example if the baby grabs a
stethoscope first he or she is likely to become a doctor or something
in the medical field. Anyway, lately Elissar has become quite
fascinated with books, especially my books. It is so much fun to
watch her "reading". She will sit down and page carefully through the
book. She has ripped a page or two, but for the most part, she is
really gentle with the books. Mary says she looks like a real person
reading.