We just got back from Olive's 1-year checkup. She is 21 pounds and 28 inches long, which means her weight is average and her height is short! It's about the 10-20th percentile. I'm kinda glad about that because maybe she won't have to go through what I went through being the awkward tallest girl in class all the time. Ha! Olive reached for the doctor when she came in the room, and when the doctor picked her up she put her head on her shoulder and loved on her for a few minutes. The doctor just melted. She was really delighted at Olive's personality and progress. She said she's very advanced socially and with all her skills. She was impressed that she's walking so well and eating everything we give her and being off bottles. She went on and on about what a great baby she is, and that was really gratifying for me. I asked about putting her to bed with milk, and she said we really shouldn't do it because it causes all kinds of dental issues. She suggested putting water in her cup instead of milk when it's time for bed. So that's my homework - transitioning her from milk to water to go to bed. I want to make that transition before Lucy comes so that Olive doesn't have any extra stress at that time. And I think that'll eventually make it easier for her to go to bed without anything at all. She got 3 shots in her thighs and a little heel poke to check for anemia (which I guess is something they do once the baby has moved from formula to whole milk). She cried for about 2 minutes and then forgot all about it and just wanted to play. She's a champ! Now that we're home, she's sleeping soundly in her comfy new bed. We really are so blessed with such an easy, independent, funny, smart, pretty little girl.

Happy 1st Birthday, Olive! She danced, and went to the park for a picnic, and ate lots of cake, so you know she celebrated properly.