that one

So often I find myself blogging about Tempe or telling people funny things Tempe does, and just generally focusing more on Tempe than I do on Helena. Tempe is at a really funny age--she is able to talk about her likes and wants and her own little opinions, while Helena isn't quite to that point yet. Of course I love Lena so much, just as much as I do Tempe! She is so precious to me and I treasure every giggle, every smile, every cuddle, and even every high-pitched happy shriek.

I can't believe my baby is one already! She had such a fun birthday--she thrives on attention. She still shrieks to get people to look at her when she feels like she needs more attention! She now has about six teeth and more coming in every day. She can pull herself up to a stand and walk with help, and she can even stand on her own for about twenty seconds when she wants to (which isn't often--she is content to crawl and hold on to things). She imitates us when we speak, but hasn't started saying much yet, beyond nodding and shaking her head no and waving at everyone all the time. She is so friendly and she absolutely adores her big sister. You should hear the "happy shrieking" matches they have when we are in the car. Helena follows Tempe around everywhere and loves playing with her and being with her. Lena is such an important part of our lives. What was life like before I had this one and that one? What did I do when I didn't have Tempe clinging to one leg and Helena clinging to the other leg?

Here are some of my favorite pictures of Lena from her first-birthday shoot with Jason's aunt Margaret.