Lots About Louisa #2

I couldn't wait to write this post.

Louisa's procedure went well last week. (Although she was not a fan of recovery.) Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the well wishes, prayers, and concern. Today the follow up visit with the urologist confirmed her bladder functions perfectly. This news makes us more and more hopeful that a tethered spinal cord --and the subsequent surgery -- is not a reality for Lou. The appointment with the neurosurgeon is next week. While we anticipate him wanting to follow Louisa for a few more months or years -- and even the possibility of another MRI -- we are optimistic he agree these positive test results point to a healthy spinal cord.

Now enough of this medical jargon. Let's talk about that cutie Lou Lou.

This big girl is ONE YEARS OLD! How in the world that is true I have zero idea. I so remember in the first days of her little life, when the feedings were 'round the clock, wondering how quickly November 17 would come, how quickly she would change and grow because even then in the midst of the exhausting newborn days I knew it was but a wisp of time. As all mothers know, my heart rejoices in healthy growth and the fun of discovering more about her, but it aches knowing this leads to independence . . . . more and more away from mom. (Sniff. Boo hoo. Wawawawah.)

We celebrated Louisa's first birthday in a feast-ly fashion. Because Bryan worked Thanksgiving, we combined the two festivities into a Thankful for Louisa party. Thirty family and friends squeezed into our house to dine on turkey, ham, and fixin's (mostly prepared by my husband; be jealous) and to love on our little lady. We thought she'd be a little timid or overwhelmed because strangers and crowds are not her thing, but Louisa did so well! I mean she totally knew it was her party, right? 

When it was time for the ceremonial first birthday cupcake, Louisa was such a delicate gal. (Shout out to big sis helping blow out the candle.) I had to help her at first with a nibble of icing -- and it was a hit. Instead of making a mess, she very gently grabbed a bite between her thumb and index finger until she ate the entire cupcake.

Big sister also helped with the presents. Louisa's favorites ended up being a shape sorting lunchbox, a ride-on choo-choo train, and singing bear night light toy. 

Growth

At Lou's 12-month appointment, she weighed 19 pounds and 4 ounces. Y'all that means she is in the 40th percentile! We've gone from not even on the charts to the 40th! Someone please celebrate! She's hitting those milestones like a champ (even a little early, but who's bragging?). She's walking -- the side step sometimes, which is really funny. 

She says dada all the time. She says nana when she's mad at Anna. She says mama when she's really desperate. I see where I stand.

Louisa loves black beans. Loves. She's also a fan of green beans, carrots, and meat. Any meat. All day. Just meat, please. At such a young age, she is clearly more of an opinionated eater than Anna. I can only imagine what the full-on toddler years will be like.

Speaking of eating, Louisa refuses avocados and sweet potatoes, but she enjoys nibbling on a bar of avocado SOAP . . . and sneaking tastes of sister's CeraVe lotion. Things I never thought I'd say: Louisa, do not eat the toiletries.

Her other trouble spots include a constant fascination with electrical outlets, cords, and the carbon monoxide monitor in the kitchen. Perhaps she will be an electrical engineer.

Her interests are really starting to show. She continues to favor cars, balls, toys that make music, and Elmo. She also enjoys pulling out tissues from the Kleenex box, pilfering through my purse, taking lids on and off and on and off and on and off, playing the piano (now tall enough to reach the keys), and "kitchen" (a box of plastic lids who no longer have a container mate along with a small kitchen set equals tons of fun).

Louisa also pursued her modeling career as I continue to paste my kids' pictures on the Fort Worth Moms Blog. You can see her 7-month self on this post I wrote, "Infant Photography Made Easy." For a complete look at her oh-so-adorable professional pics to document her six months of life that actually ended up being her seven month photos because she is the second child and nothing happens on time, simply click here.