This last year has been an amazing learning experience. It has not been easy and at times I've wondered, "what the heck did we get ourselves into?" Overall, though, when I look at Anabelle and she gives me that wide overjoyed smile I know that there is no place I would rather be! I love that little monkey. Being a stay-home-mom is the hardest job I've ever had; but it is also the most rewarding (and I have worked from everything including being a paralegal in a busy DC firm to an MTC teacher, so I don't say that lightly). Anabelle is now 14 months old and she is developing quite the personality. She knows about a dozen signs and about 40 words, so between signing and "talking" she makes her wishes pretty clear (most of the time). I must admit this has been my favorite stage in her short but very lively development. We are both learning so much. I can't wait to see what new surprises the coming years will bring.