The Stewarts: 12 months

Wow! What a year! To say this year was a happy year would be an under statement. It's funny how I always thought of the first year being the hardest most exhausting time of my life and yet it's been the funnest year yet. Lilah's little personality has brought so much joy to our lives.

We have traveled so much this past year. I always thought kids would hold you back from adventures but in fact, they just make things that much better. I have loved my time home with just Lilah and I. She has become such a momma's girl and I have taken full advantage of it. I know it's only a matter of time before she realizes how much more fun daddy is, so I better take it while I can.

This year has been such a good one. I'm almost scared of how great things have been because maybe that means that the next year won't live up to it. Or maybe there are some challenges up ahead. (I know, I know I'm such a worry wort) I pray every night for Lilah. I pray for her happiness. I pray for her health. I pray that she will bring joy to those around her. Nothing brings me more joy than watching my girl live a happy life.

Here are a couple of pictures of this past month before we were officially done with month-birthdays.

Lilah enjoying her Thanksgiving dinner

Two teeth came in at the beginning of the month. She started off with 4 and ended the month with 8!

Bath time is still her very favorite.

And mommy's favorite too!

She has become such a little climber lately.

She loves spending time in her tent.

Her hair got so long this month!

She has become the best car sleeper. As soon as we get going, this girl is snoozing!

She loves her play room.

Her little antennas make me laugh. Here she is stealing mom's popcorn.

Cousin time with Vanellope. It's going to be so fun watching these girls grow up together.

Her first piggies.

At grandpa Cy's funeral. It has become so hard to take pictures of this girl. She is always on the go, as you can see by this blurry picture.

Piggies, bow, and a binkie. Lilah's daily essentials.

Sticking her hands in the flour and smearing it on her hair.

I love getting pictures of Lilah while i'm at work. Like this one for example. I'm sure she was busy playing while daddy was playing on his PS4.

Abuelita got her this tent and she loves it.

Lilah from Whoville

Her little face!

She fell asleep like this for about 40 minutes.

Her first braid.

Daddy putting Lilah to bed. Looks like it happened the other way around.

We have now resorted to bringing entertainment to church. I can't believe she is old enough for that.

This was Lilah feeling a little under the weather. She's never slept on me like this since she was a newborn. This was probably the hardest month yet. Teething is the worst. Poor Lilah had fevers, was irritable, and it was so hard to console her. It was such a relief for both of us any time she would take a nap.

Daddy and Lilah taking a nap by the Christmas tree. I think daddy was enjoying cuddles from this little girl. She doesn't like being held these days so we enjoy any cuddles she'll give us.

Driving around looking at Christmas lights. Lilah could've cared less about the lights and just wanted to get out and crawl around.

Her favorite thing is sticking her tongue out. Her tongue is out all day every day. It looks funny because she has such a short tongue, hehe!

Lilah riding the train to the North Pole.

For a while there she REALLY loved bananas. Although, it seemed like every week her menu selections changed.

Lilah after a visit with Santa Claus.

This is her, "put my binkie back in my mouth face." She is really loving her binkie these days.

She reminded me of the grinch with her face and that hair.

Lilah and I at the LA temple.

This year Lilah wasn't too interested in the Christmas tree. Not sure we'll be so lucky next year.

Teething, i'm telling ya. The worst!

These are the shoes I had bought for our baby reveal the first time we had a miscarriage. I was going through stuff and stumbled upon them I realized they were Lilah's size.

I put them on Lilah and it was such a sweet reminder of what a blessing she is. Look at her, she's even posing!

It's crazy how when you are in the middle of a trial it seems like you are in the deepest hole. Now looking back, it just wasn't the right timing for us to be parents. Right now I have my career and I enjoy being a part time nurse and a full time mommy. I feel so incredibly lucky to be able to do those two things.

Lilah reaching for the little shoes, ugh! Love this little girl.

Another nap because teething sucks. My poor baby.

Lilah was NOT happy for this picture but, it was Christmas Eve and I wanted a picture of me and my girl matching. Later on this day she had the worst fevers that wouldn't go away. She kept crying and wanted nothing to do with anyone holding her (Which was hard because we were in Mexico and everyone wanted to meet her and hold her)

1 year old photoshoot.

I was so happy that I was able to capture Lilah every month in her little chair. It was so fun seeing all of the pictures and watching her grow.

Bath time for a sad baby. Like I said, this month was a little rough for both of us. I'm not looking forward to molars.

Lilah loves playing with the shutters and peeking at her doggies.

Her hair is long enough to braid now.

She loves feeding herself puffs.

Lilah at church crawling around causing a scene. (A very cute one that is)

The only good thing about Lilah not feeling well were those extra cuddles.

I loved them!

Lilah loves to sooth herself with her binkie and massaging her ears. She always massages her ears while she drinks her milk. It must make it more delicious.