Dear Bria-

I forgot one other word that you've been using a lot lately-cheese!  I've been spoiling our family with cheese sticks and you can very clearly say cheese.  It is the cutest thing.  Especially because you get so excited about your cheese.

I also forgot to mention that you have yet to develop a case of stranger danger.  You're definitely cautious in unfamiliar circumstances and you are not the biggest fan of your Uncle Dwain, poor guy.  BUT, you are not afraid to go up to other people and interact with them.

A few weeks ago at the library, you sat in a complete stranger's lap.  The poor lady already had kids but you kept right on sitting there.  Embarrassingly enough, you didn't even want to come to me!  At the end of story time, I actually had to grab you out of her lap.

Your dad has started calling you Bree Bree and I HATE that nickname.  I've always hated nicknames that repeat the same word twice.  It's somewhat pointless because it's not even shortening the name and it makes you and the person saying it sound like a baby.  You are a baby and so no problems there  though.

Anyway, once I told your dad my feelings on the subject, he has been such a sport and has worked really hard not to call you that name.  If you nickname a future child a word used twice, I refuse to use the nickname.  Just letting you know now.  Oh, I also refuse to call any of your children Bubba.  Yuck.  Shivers.  If you actually name your children a word twice or Bubba, I will respectively call them what you named them.  Probably won't even mention how much I hate it.  But I can't imagine anyone being idiotic enough to actually do that to a child.

I love you Bria,
~Mom

Dear Bria-

My goodness it's been a while since I've written!  I wanted to tell you about the words that you are saying.  Your first word was "bye bye."  Although Dad would contend that it was "Dada."  Hopefully I've written to you about your first word because I'm getting myself confused!  Maybe your first word was "Dada."  I believe you technically used that as a word first.  But to be honest, you're still not consistent at using it.  You'll say it when Dad comes home from work and that's about it.

Here's the words you currently say:

-Dada

-Bye Bye- You've been saying, "Dada," for "bye bye" but just today you actually said something that sounded like "bye bye!"

-Yes- This is actually the first word you've consistently used to communicate with us.  I would ask you a question and you would squeal for a yes.  Lately, your "yes" has been sounding more and more like the word.

-Tickle Tickle- You seriously say this and it is the cutest!  You never say just one tickle.  I love seeing your little teeth pressed together and your tongue going wild as you say, "tickle tickle" over and over again.  Last night, you actually tried tickling Dallin and Akarie while you said this!

-kitty cat-  You can say this so clearly but it's been about a month since I've heard you say it.

Okay, those are the only words I can think of so far that you say.  You've definitely been a slow talker.  I'm still waiting for you to call me "mama."  If I ask you to say, "mama," you'll exclaim, "dada!"  I've turned this into a game and get really upset when you do that.  Then you'll laugh.  This was a bad game for me to start though because now you have no motivation to say, "mama!"

You have a mischievous personality and you are definitely a more physical person.  You have figured out how to do everything before Dallin and Akarie.  Thanks to your siblings, you are quite tough.  You definitely don't cry overtime you have a fall.

You also have a look all of your own.  Dallin and Akarie were practically twins but you look different from them.  You seem quite skinny.  Last time you stepped on the scale, you weighed 25 pounds, which I know is no lightweight.  But I tend to have very chunky kids!  My favorite feature of yours are your eyes.  I love the shape and the color.  Your hair is quite dark.  Blue eyes and brown hair is a pretty stunning combination.  So no worries!

I'm just amazed that my blonde genes are so weak.  It's not common to be as grown as I am and to be as blonde as I am.  I expected that to show more in my kids but it sure hasn't.  Dad must have some strong brunette genes.  Dad was very blonde as a baby/toddler.  I expected all of my kids to start out as towheads but you and Dallin defied that.  Don't get me wrong, there's some blonde in your hair, just not much.  You definitely have more brown hairs.

I love you, Bree.  I'm sorry you don't get a dozen letters a month like Dallin did when he was a baby.  Life sure is busy now.  Something is better than nothing, right?

I love you,
~Mom

Dear Bria-

Today you turned one.  And I feel bad because your poor birthday sure has been overshadowed.  Thank goodness you're too young to notice!  First off, Dad and I found out last night that I'm pregnant.  This was a little bit of a surprise and has definitely occupied my thoughts.

Then, we spent today at a children's museum that was geared towards older kids.  When two and under are free, that's saying something.  You still had a good time.  Nana laughed that your favorite thing there were stairs.  And it's the truth.

Tonight, after I put you down, Dallin lost his first tooth.  Dad and I couldn't help but laugh at these big events happening right around your birthday.  This is third child problem.  But please know that no matter what, I love you and have thought lots about your one year birthday.

Just watch your one year video if you want proof!  I worked on that for at least 10 hours and I think it turned out fabulous.  Truth be told, my best work yet.  See?  There are advantages to being a third kid!

You also got some cool gifts.  Aunt Kelli is in town and so you even had an extra guest at your party. You got a shape sorter, a ring with hoops that go around it, a flashlight, and a sippy cup.  You absolutely devoured your cupcake.  Unfortunately, you've gotten into sweets a time or two and so this was not your first foray into sugar.

I love you sweet girl!  I can't believe that I had you a year ago.  I'm so excited to be able to give you a sibling close in age.  Truth be told, in a lot of ways, I would love a large age gap between you and your sibling.  But seeing Dallin and Akarie grow up together confirmed to me that you deserved the same thing.  So... you're welcome!  (Disclaimer: There were other reason for having another kid right now.  But we definitely took you into consideration!)

Love you!
~Mom

Dear Bria-

You took your first official steps yesterday!  You've just started standing on your own without holding anything.  Most of the time when you do stand on your own (and let's be honest, this only happens a few times a day) you are also clapping.  So yesterday, you were standing and clapping.  Daddy held out his arms and you walked into them!  I love baby first steps.  They are magical.

We got you a walker on Sunday and you love to walk that thing around.  The only problem is that you don't know how to turn it.  Whenever you run into something, you're stuck.  So unless I follow you, turning the walker around, you can only walk across a room with it before you have to find something else to do.

To be honest, that's not hard because everything seems to entertain you!  Ah, to be a baby again!

I love you,
~Mom

Dear Bria-

I'm sorry that I'm failing at these letters to you.  I want to write more.  I really do.

You are the best baby.  We went strawberry picking the other day and you were so good.  When I say "we" I meant Dallin, Akarie, and me.  You stayed behind with my friend.  And you were fine!  She never once heard you cry.  All the moms in play group wonder at what a great baby you are.  I need to remember that during your few fussy hours every day.

This morning I discovered that you had cut a second tooth!  I'm sad to say that I can't remember if I wrote about your first tooth in my monthly blog letters.  Heaven knows, I haven't written it here.  I'm scared to go back and see when's the last time I wrote you.  I try to be a cup is half-full type of mom.  Therefore, at least you get letters at all, right?  A few is better than none.

Okay, back on topic.  You are an amazing, two-toothed baby.  And so happy.  You smile all the time and it's pretty easy to make to laugh.  All I have to do is laugh and you'll laugh right back at me, or err.. with me.  Right?  Riiiight?

You're also a tough baby.  Dallin and Akarie are pretty mean to you.  They're constantly hitting you.  I've caught them several times whacking your fingers when you're standing and getting into something.  They'll smash your fingers in an attempt to get you to sit down.  All I can say is that they're making you into one tough baby.

Today, you almost got seriously hurt.  Dallin climbed on the high chair and made the tray fall down.  You happened to be crawling almost exactly where it fell.  Thankfully, it only grazed you but my heart was in my throat.  Your brother obviously didn't do this on purpose.  I wasn't mad.

I love you Bria.  So much.  Just as much as Dallin and Akarie despite the fact that they have a million more letters than you when they were your age.  I am so sorry.  Third child woes.  I say that all of the time, but Bria, I really do completely understand.  I'm a fourth child (technically fifth) myself and I get the problems.  Being a mom now, I understand the other side too, though.  Not enough time to do all that I want to do.

I love you,
~Mom

Dear Bria-

Before you go to bed, you "tired talk."  Dad and I do this when we're tired and it cracks me up that you do too.  Okay, I better go change your diaper now.  You started solids and phew, your diapers now stink!

Love you,
~Mom