Reflections after 1 year

Hey squirt,

It's been a year already. I can already see the wrinkles on your face. Fortunately for you, you seem to be aging pretty well.

I enjoy your company more now than ever. I appreciate that you and mom wait for me in the hallway when I come home. I especially enjoy how you pretend that you have been working when you see me coming (even though I know better). I like it when you help me read books. Your sound effects are priceless.

When you throw tantrums, I know that is because your mom has been spoiling you while I am at work. After dad is home for a little while on the weekends, you are always a perfect angel.

After looking through your first year of photos, I have noticed that you have gotten prettier. I didn't think that was possible when you were just a few months old. You have also gotten quite a bit smarter (amazing I know). Your vast intellect coupled with you amazonic height causes quite the confusion for the ladies at the playground. They can't believe it when we tell them you are only 1 year old after you have recited the complete periodic table (caution: possible hyperbole).

Here's to many more years of good times assuming your mom doesn't take me out so she can cash in my life insurance and move to barbados. Peace and Love from your pops.

Party Girl!!!!

Eve,
I came to visit and help you celebrate your FIRST BIRTHDAY! It was the best visit ever!
I got to see your new condo and we played for a whole week! You have gotten sooo big and you aren't a baby anymore. You are definitely a full fledged kid now! Your mommy and daddy brought you to the airport to pick me up and you grabbed my finger and we just walked out of the airport together! You are getting really ticklish now (especially under your arm and on your neck - just like your mommy) I took way to many pictures of you and even brought Aunt Jillie and Uncle Noah's video camera with me. The family now has about 2 full hours of you just running around and dancing and talking! I showed everyone I know your pictures and even had to drive to Joplin the day I got back to Kansas to show your Aunts the video (they couldn't wait a second more) I came and got you every morning and we ate breakfast together (we let mommy sleep in every day) We even spent a couple of evenings alone together; reading books and playing with the barnyard and running up and down the hallway, while your parents went out on the town. I had the best time! Grama even taught you how to do the Indian call. At first, every time I would pat your mouth you made no noise; but after a few more attempts you started making a sound and now you know how to play Indian! One of our outings was to the Chuckie Cheese pizza restaurant. You had a blast there, climbing and sliding and riding all the rides! On my last day was your 1st birthday party. It was on the air force base where you used to live. You had all kinds of presents and your little friends were there along with a whole lot of adults to celebrate your first year of life. I was the proudest Grama that day! You loved the balloons and carried them everywhere you went. Your mommy made you a strawberry birthday cake and we all sang Happy Birthday to you. Don't worry if you don't remember - I have it all on tape!HA But just in case, this picture is my favorite. It doesn't show how your cute little outfit kept getting longer and longer.
About 3 days after I got home, your parents made a short little video with you as the star (of course) announcing that you were going to be a big sis! Oh my....are you going to love that new baby! Just remember to give your mommy a break now and then. Instead of going 90 miles an hour all the time; try slowing down to at least 65. That's the legal limit these days!
I love and miss you and had an awesome time in DC. I can't wait for Christmas. Grama will have to get some things ready for you (especially some new books!) I hope your front teeth drop down some more because we are going to take a big family picture! No more tantrums OK?
Love you!!! GramaSortore

Happy Birthday Eve

Hello Eve-
Or in your newly famous gretting, "HI"! I wanted to wish you a happy birthday a little late. I figured I would call you on your birthday and wish you happy birthday, but I didn't think about writing and since you probably won't remember your first birthday you are gonna think your Aunt Jill forgot your birthday, but don't worry I didn't! It seems like you are gonna be quite the Girlie Girl now. Your Grama told us that you are totally into purses and make up and kissing yourself. That is sooo funny to us because your mom isn't at all, but you could definately change. Maybe you will take the road that Aunt Erin did. She was the nastiest, dirtiest, and the most smelliest kid growing up. Her nickname was "Stinky"!!!!! But now she has grown up and looks so lovely and cares a lot more how much she smells and takes a lot better care of herself. But you on the other hand may be outta luck if you change like that. You may grow up and stop showering. I hope not, but we will love you no matter what. It seems like you are into just following your mom around the house doing exactly what she does. You are getting a little more mischevious I hear and it is soooo much fun to be mischevious, but even more fun with a little brother or sister. I think you will be a great big sister and it won't be too long at all. Well I hope you had a good birthday little one and I can't wait to see you Christmas.
Love you tons!!!!
Aunt Jill

happy birthday

Since today is your big first birthday, I thought it an appropriate time to write. We had a birthday party for you on Saturday and Alivia, Brett, Mia, and Dana were all there. Alivia even got a bloody nose at some point during the party. It was some party let me tell you. Some of your adult friends were there too like grama, dad, Becca, Dan, George, Tony, and Melinda. You had such a good time and received so many wonderful gifts. You had a blast with the balloons thanks to grama and ate cake. While grama was here we went to the zoo, swimming pool, park, toys-r-us, and Chuck E. Cheese. You really had a great time with grama and she even babysat you two nights so your dad and I could go out together. We have moved into our new condo now and you love it. Everyone that works here and lives here calls you by name and talks to you whenever they see you. Carl, the building manager, even gave you a dollar bill for you birthday. You got a package from grammy and poppy today in the mail and a cow in the mail from Aunt Teen. Grandpa sent you a photo album with some funny pictures and keeps adding to it, which you love looking at. You've started telling me no when I tell you no. You understand many more words now and can tell us when you want milk or juice. You kiss your stuffed animals and yourself when you look in the mirror and I am working on you learning to blow kisses. You clap your hands when you are excited and love to sing and dance. You say hi to people all the time and your favorite part of the day is seeing daddy for the first time when he comes home from work. You get so excited that it makes his day. You make us laugh all the time with your new developments and I can't believe that a year has passed already! I love you baby and happy birthday!