Side by side monthly photos for YEAR ONE!

12 Month Photos! for her 13 Month Update....I know...

Makaela is thirteen months old! What a lil old lady! Don't worry girlfriend, we can't believe it either.

It's hard to keep up with all the new things she is learning and doing each day. She's on the fast track and it is so fun. 

The thing is, I never posted her "official" 12 month update! You know, the one with the photo of her in a too small onesie and info on her latest doctor appointment etc. I realized this after posting all of her fun birthday details, but never got around to it...so without further ado, haha...

I have to say, I'll be glad to retire that onesie. While I enjoyed doing the monthly updates, I won't be doing them the same way for the months moving forward - I'm going to post "real time" a lot more often and do round-ups here and there when they feel right. 

I was pleasantly surprised with how smoothly her 12 month well baby check went. Considering it included her basic check up, then a trip to the lab (for standard tests) and then to immunizations for her age-appropriate shots - I'm just thankful that neither of us had a meltdown!

She really was a trooper. After FOUR shots, and a blood draw from the arm (just like adults! crazy to me!) she got to have her very first sucker. Well deserved, little lady. 

The doctor also prescribed her some benedryl to help with her allergies. From what I'm told, "everyone has allergies in southern Alabama." The pollen did get pretty nasty for awhile, and we tried the benadryl for a couple days but didn't seem to notice a difference. It didn't make her sleepy, it didn't make her hyper, it just sort of did...nothing. Oh well, things cleared up on their own a few days later and we got to say buh-bye to the puffy eyes plaguing us all in the pictures below...

And now here we are at 13 MONTHS. Seems like Mak has had a major growth spurt during the past few weeks. Our baby is looking more and more like a toddler. Her legs are getting longer, and thinning out (I'm not ready to say bye to those chunkin' thighs!!) - those oh-so-squeezable cheeks better not go anywhere!

Makaela is starting to make more choices - she lets you know what she likes and what her preferences are, just like a big kid. I can't get over it!

She (seems to) understand everything we say and is turning into quite the helper. She is very good about putting something back or away when you ask her to, or getting a specific toy or book and bringing it to you when asked. She listens (almost always) when told not to touch something. Gosh, the list goes on. It is just crazy because I got so used to her not talking and not being able to precisely communicate her wants/needs etc. that everything she does now amazes me. She is SO smart and observant. 

My favorite thing she is doing right now is throwing her hands up when you ask her something and she doesn't know, she also does this for "where did XYZ go?" It is TOO adorable. I haven't been able to catch a good video of it, but in this one she sort of does it, so you'll get the idea...

I also love how she is starting to enjoy cuddling again. Of course it has to be HER idea, but there is nothing sweeter than when she comes over to you and rests her head on you. 

And she is growing more and more attached to Ginger. Thank goodness we have such a patient, dog. Love you Ginge!

I LOVE that I get to watch this little girl grow every day. Of course, there are days that are challenging but most days I wish I could share each and every moment because it is so exciting - thank goodness I can capture at least some of the moments on film :)

11 Month Photos!

Where the heck did February go!? It seemed like everyday I found myself saying "I'll have to do that tomorrow" and then tomorrow turned into the next day, and the next. Sheesh!

It was a busy month and one filled with some more milestones for baby Mak. She started walking. She got her third and fourth tooth. And yet again I was amazed at how much knowledge she soaked up and how quickly she learned new skillzzzzzzz.

Our growing girl is 11 months old. Wow. Just wow.

This past month was full of crazy cute faces...

And crazy cute hair...

And some crazy cute outfits...

No, that's not a belly shirt, it just happens to turn into one because the elastic likes to roll up over her buddha belly. Doesn't it make you giggle? 

Currently, she is very interested in figuring out how things work or how things are "supposed" to be. She likes to try and put on her own socks and shoes. This basically consists of her setting them on her feet, haha. It is very sweet.

Oh and something a little less sweet that she likes to figure out is the TV and the remote....they realllllly need to make it harder to record shows. Our queue is full of fun little surprises from this nugget.

Mak has also started to take an interest in dolls. She loves to kiss her baby and hold her hand, and in this picture below she was even humming to her! Heart officially melting.

In addition to loving on her baby she is super into puzzles! She has a Melissa and Dog set with basic shapes that get placed into pictures of dogs, trains, butterflies etc. and she has a great time with it. Circles are her specialty ;-)

And of course, she is still digging her magnets, especially now that she figured out they can stick to the dishwasher too. Every time she sticks one to the dishwasher she laughs. Silly magnet.

What else, what else....ah yes, MikMak is still not a great napper. By that I mean her naps are short and inconsistent. However, I am thankful that when she does nap, she is able to sleep pretty much anywhere....her crib, the car, her stroller, my back...

As far as her "official 11 month photo" goes, by now I'm happy to snap a shot of her 1) in the official onesie (which definitely doesn't snap anymore, but I'm amazed at how much stretch it truly had - it is size 0-3 months!) and 2) actually sitting still. So here you have it...

And of course, some of the outtakes. They've really become more and more obnoxious with the passing months.

In the next one she is pointing to a picture of a puppy dog in one of her books. We've been practicing "what noise does a doggy make..."

She is pretty geeked about dogs...and all animals for that matter...

Even though this was Mak's photoshoot she manages to look like SHE is photoboming GINGER. I love it. 

Looking forward to another month of fun, frustration and firsts before the big BIRTHDAY!

10 Month Photos!

Our baby girl is officially in the DOUBLE DIGITS! 10 months old. Wow, wow, wow.

Yeahhhh, blurry action shot again. I just loved the energy this photo captured so I had to use it. She is so joyful and we cannot get enough!

It's been such a fun month. It feels like Makaela is really starting to communicate with us more and her personality is blossoming by the minute...and she is definitely living up to the April Fool's Birthday Baby title - such a little jokester.

She is really into making faces lately. She is sure to let you know if she likes or doesn't like something. Who knew a frowny face could make me smile?!

She is also quite the little chatter box. I don't know what she's saying, but man oh man does she have a lot on her mind. Jabber. Jaws. One of the cutest things is when she pulls out a book and "reads" it to mama and daddy.

We've really enjoyed family time this past month and have started a new tradition we like to call "Pancake Sundays." Usually spent at Cracker Barrel, where Makaela likes to devour a mound of pancakes. She only breaks to wave and smile at every single person that passes by our table.

And of course if you're gonna go to Cracker Barrel for Pancake Sunday, you're gonna dress up in the ol' Country Store. Obvi.

And sometimes you just can't resist and you find yourself purchasing one of the items you dressed up in, and wearing it around the whole day...

This past month we also spent a lot of time hanging with friends. Makaela loves to socialize...

Speaking of things she loves, add slurping up water from the (clean - thank goodness) dishwasher to the list...

In fact, that is not her only canine-like tendency...

And what do I love? Playing with her ever-growing hair...

How can you not love the crap out of this little nugget? That belly is just ASKING to be tickled...

The outtakes are too funny this month. Maybe she thinks she can fly?

Wait, so I'm not a bird??

Oh well! See ya later!