Today you turned 1 Year 7 Months.

This December was nothing short of magical as we celebrated Christmas together! 🌟 We made a trip to Houston, and it was such a joy watching you open presents. 🎁 You learned the word “Santa” this month, which made the holiday even more special. While you don’t fully understand the concept of presents yet, your curious expressions and the excitement in your eyes lit up every moment. ✨

Your vocabulary is growing so quickly—it’s truly amazing to see! 🗣️ I’m teaching you English while Mama is teaching you Russian, and it’s so wonderful to watch you become bilingual. You already know so many body parts in both languages! Hearing you point and say them in English and Russian brings the biggest smiles to our faces. 😍

One of the cutest things you’ve started doing is sticking out your tongue when you’re feeling shy (which happens quite often). 😋 It’s absolutely adorable and has become a little signature Mila move that melts our hearts every time. ❤️

This month also marked a big milestone—you attended your first friend’s birthday party! 🎉 One of your classmates turned two, and you had such a blast playing with your friends from school. Seeing you laugh and explore with other kids your age was such a sweet reminder of how quickly you’re growing. 💕

On a sadder note, this month we had to say goodbye to Kessa. 🐾🌈 It was a tough loss for all of us, but in the midst of this, your bond with Volk (or as you call him, "aff aff") has grown stronger. 🐕 You’ve started treating him like one of your babies, wrapping him in blankets and patting him gently. 🍼 It’s such a precious thing to witness, and it shows your kind and nurturing spirit. 💖

As the year comes to a close, we are so grateful for the joy and light you bring into our lives. Watching you grow, explore, and fill each moment with love is the greatest gift of all. 🎁🌟

With all the love in the world,

Your Papa ❤️