Evelina,

As we approach your first birthday, we are still marvelling at how quickly the time is passing by. There have been much more subtle developments such that we barely recognise when you do something new.

This morning, I asked Evie if she wanted breakfast. She crawled over to the kitchen door. It's so amazing how she is starting to understand.—
Mama Kate (@raisingevelina) October 28, 2011

Your understanding of what we are saying is definitely increasing although you still choose to be quite selective about whether you understand ‘no’! Thankfully your fascination in the TV unit seems to have dwindled although the remote control still seems to enthrall you more than anything else. Telephones seem to the latest obsession and it is so cute to watch you use any mobile phone-shaped object like a telephone – the Flip video camera, a shoe, anything!

It is really lovely that you seem to have grasped the concept of kissing – you even purse your lips on occasion although you do tend to favour a more continental (read: French) approach: mouth open, tongue out! Still, it is lovely that you are so affectionate and we have even been treated to some (very quick) hugs. You are still a bit of a fidget when you hug but we will allow it!

At the end of October, we went to your first First Birthday Party for your friend Ruby. As it was close to Halloween, you were able to wear your cuter-than-cute witches outfit. There have been a steady stream of first birthdays with Rory first, then Ruby, Arthur and Jacob before yours. Arthur had a party too which you attended, although we had to leave quite early for you to have a nap. You are still such a good sleeper and unless you have your three naps a day, things are not all well with the world for you!

As well as all the first birthdays, you helped your cousin Poppy celebrate her 2nd birthday at Hatton Country World.

Your physical developments has come along well this month with a steadier walk-along at furniture; more willingness to walk with us holding your hands and sometimes, just the one hand; an interest in climbing which has you climbing into your toy box, climbing the sofa and climbing the stairs. You now shoot up the stairs pretty well although you still need the safety net of someone right behind you as you tend to lack precision!

The climbing is getting silly: Evelina managed to climb onto the top of the fireguard and also she made it up onto the sofa without a boost.—
Mama Kate (@raisingevelina) November 08, 2011

Towards the end of the month, we noticed you start thinking about letting go when you were standing at the sofa and we have now seen you stand for a good ten seconds at a time.  There have been no steps as yet but it doesn’t seem like it will long.

We also went for our first bike ride this month with you on your new bike seat.  So much fun!

You have also developed an interest in box forts so we have been meaning to make you a bigger box fort to play in. You are inquisitive and playful which is so much fun.

Sometimes you look so grown-up, like at your birthday party when you handled the influx of people with aplomb. Yet, sometimes we still see glimpses of our little baby.

The day before your birthday, we took you to have some professional pictures taken and it went so well (a little too well, if you ask our bank account!). The photographer was delighted by you and we got so many good pictures of you. I was so pleased with your party frock which you also wore on your birthday – beautiful bronze taffeta-type fabric with a big bow. You looked gorgeous.

In the blink of an eye, you have gone from that tiny, little creature with gunk in your hair to a big eyed smiler with a great sense of humour who always has a lot to say, even if you can’t speak yet.

I have now been a mama for a year and I still have so much to learn. The strange thing to me was that at no point did I ever feel lost or like a novice but at the beginning, I felt like your caretaker.  It just took a little while to comprehend that I was your mother. I think I am still getting to grips with what that means! It seems odd to thank a baby for being themselves but I really do want to thank you for being such an extraordinary child. I know that every mother feels that their child is exceptional and I am no exception! You are a marvel, a wonder, a delight and a blessing. You have made me and your daddy so very happy.

Love, Mama