Go, go, go!

Milestone day, Stella.  You took your first steps all on your own. They were small, timid ones, but you did it!  Mommy and pappa are so, so proud of you.

Here you are at Aker Brygge, enjoying a rare sunny day.  This summer hasn't been very nice, but today was sunny and warm.

It's Bedtime, Little One

Stella, do you want to know a secret? Every night when I go to bed, I gaze upon your beautiful, peaceful face, stroke your hair, rub your back, make sure you're not too hot or too cold, and climb into bed.  Every. Single. Night.

Birthday Girl

About a month and a half ago, you finished your first trip around the sun.  We had a little birthday party for you, and invited all your friends.  I would love to post pictures of them, but I would need their parents' permission first, so I'll just put them in your photo album.  Here are some pictures of you enjoying your birthday cake.  It was a heart-shaped butter cake with pink buttercream icing.

You got lots of great presents, and your absolute favorite that day was a wooden duck on wheels.  Sorry it is sideways.

You received many other toys, including a puzzle, a magnetic farm, clothes, block crayons (you have yet to draw your masterpiece), a purse, a pail and shovels for the sand pit, an old-school rotary phone, books, a train that spells your name, and much more.

I know you'll never remember your first birthday, Stella, but I will remember it for the rest of my life.  I love you, sweetheart.