10 reasons I love having a daughter

1.  I can put cute bows in her hair

2. And pink shoes on her feet

3. She is not afraid to get dirty.

4. Whenever she is excited about something, I hear this feminine, high pitched voice exclaim, "oh."  It melts my heart.

5. She has the gentleness of a women the ferocity and she always know what she wants.

6. She will never be to cool for her mom or our adventures.

7. She is kind to animals and can't get enough of them.

8. She loves nature: she picks up leaves and sways to the whispering of the trees.  The other night she pointed out the moon to me.  I was amazed at how observant she is.  So we spent some time outside staring at the stars. And now, whenever I ask her where the stars are, she points at the sky.

9.  She already has to carry around her favorite accessories.  Preparing for the day, when she will carry a purse.

                                                                    (note the fork and spoon)

10.  She reminds me of the adventurous, pure, free-spirited girl that I was.  Which just pushes me harder to give her every opportunity to excel where I have made mistakes and teach her to love, respect, and cherish the child she is and the woman she will become.

Living...Learn about my daughter

She is self-motivated, eager to learn, and enjoys challenges.
It seems the more she can't do something the harder she tries.
When mastering a skill, it is all she can think about: which is why we had problems with her sleep, she would awake in the night, because she felt she had to master those first year skills.  Now that she's walking, she sleeps through the night. 

She is the most observant little child.  At four months, she noticed when her daddy changed his hair.  At three months, she was paying attention to the food that we ate, she even wanted to try it.

She has the most wonderful sense of humor.  There have been times, when sitting across from me at the dinner table, she has made the funniest facial expressions and noises and the more I laugh the more she performs, she enjoys the sounds of laughter.

She's fearless.

At 10 months old, she loves the water, even went rafting down the willamette river.

She is a true adventurer.

She loves dancing, books, music, and making mischief.

There has been so much that I have learned about my darling little girl.  But what I have noticed most is her intuitive, good-hearted nature.Without prompting, she gives kisses, and lately, when I hold her and pat her back, she pats mine.  It is the sweetest little gesture.  It shows me that already, she is capable of reciprocating comforting, loving actions on her own.  That loving others is something that she desires. 

She is so full of life.  What a lucky mommy I am. 

Having a baby was the best thing I ever did.  Having Ella was best gift the earth has ever given. 

Living...Listen to live music in the park.

This summer has been filled with so many wonderful adventures.  I have been blessed to share Ella's first summer with so many people who love her, and as her first birthday approaches, I feel both excitement and apprehension.  She is not my petite enfant any longer.  My little bundle has turned into a social butterfly.  My parents, my Uncle, Joe, Ella, and I attended the Bite of Salem this year and where other years it has been disappointing, this year was a blast. 

There was food:

Shopping:

Some really beautiful Peruvian bags and sweaters, I loved the colors and the fabrics.

And of course, live music.  They were a couple of jazz bands that were pretty awesome, not to mention a couple of drunk people who were really getting down.

I took a picture of this girl because I thought her outfit was beautiful and unique.  An interesting specimen.

My dad danced with Ella

Joe and I danced.
And my mom socialized.

It was good fun.  We'll see about next year.

Ella's new friend Miley couldn't stop kissing her, it was too cute.