One major thing I have learned about raising an infant? They go through stages. If you think something they do is cute, savor it—the time will come when they will probably stop. If something they do is making you upset or hurting your feelings, don’t get too down—it will most likely cease in a couple weeks or so.

Sloan has went through many phases in her short life.

Yep, I can look back on Sloan’s almost 14 months in this world and piece together her life in stages. Just to name a few…

Shoots her arms straight up in the air after we unswaddle her phase.

Rooting phase.

Wakes up a couple times per night stage, sleeps through the night stage, wakes up once per night stage, sleeps through the night stage (ah yes, back again), wakes up once per night stage (why did we regress?), sleeps through the night stage (I missed you), keeps you guessing throughout the week whether she will wake up that night or not stage, sleeps through the night stage (hopefully it isn’t a stage anymore).

Kicks her little feet stage (so cute).

Throwing up phase (Pyloric Stenosis episode), Mini throwing up phases (lasted through her first year).

Clapping her hands phase.

Mile wide grin when you pick her up out of her crib phase (one of my favorite phases).

Army crawl phase, legitimate baby crawl phase, walking phase (just kidding, she can’t walk yet).

Likes mommy most phase, likes daddy most phase, likes mommy most phase, likes daddy most phase, likes mommy most phase, likes daddy most phase, likes mommy most phase (currently).

Multiple naps per day phase, a couple naps per day phase, one nap per day phase, play hard all day and make mommy and daddy work extremely hard phase.

Bottle phase, baby food phase, introduction of real food phase, I will only eat crackers phase (Ritz preferred), I am a sophisticated baby and will eat chicken nuggets and meatballs phase.

Pulling hair phase (been going strong for about 11 months now).

Clicking her tongue phase, making a noise that sounded like she was saying “yuck” phase, Sloananese phase (she babbles nonstop).

I am inseparable from my stuffed unicorn phase.

Throw food off the table phase, must sit at table with mommy and daddy when they eat phase.

Angel in church phase, Still pretty good in church but might get a little restless phase (she will always sit quietly for the homily).

Sign language phase.

Most loved little girl by her parents phase (forever and always).

Don’t Blink.