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 :)

Hanging with the fellas

Yesterday we went to hang with some friends for a mid-day play session. It was Mak and a couple fellas, and boy oh boy did they have fun.

Her boyfriend got a new buzz lightyear ride on toy that was quite the hit, and surprisingly they all played together on it, instead of fighting for it. I think I hear angels singing.

At one point the boys took turns pushing Princess Makaela around. She had a smug look on her face the entire time. 

Good thing her buddies have big strong muscles. 

Well who is going to push me now?

Later she finally gave up the seat and realized it was rather fun to push (err pull) her friends around...

Not long after that they decided to pull some books off the bookshelf and climb up and down the slide and THEN Mr. Man tried to give Miss Makaela an open mouth kiss on the lips. It was romantic. 

When we got home I told Makaela to tell Daddy how her friend tried to kiss her, and he said "Well tell him I'll cut his BEEP off!" I'm sure you can imagine what word was actually used in place of the beep. 

Yep, that's my husband making threats on a toddler. He's probably shining his guns now in preparation of the teenage years. Sigh. 

Cupcake Thief

That, my friends, is the face of a cupcake thief. I (mistakenly) set a cupcake dangerously close to the edge on the dining room table and while I was away for just a moment (that's all it takes!) a certain toddler activated her super stretch arms and reached up there and SNATCHED it!

Sneaky Mc-Sneakerson quickly shoveled as much as possible into her mouth when she saw me coming and then offered the wrapper to Rocky. She is VERY thoughtful, what can I say. 

Here are my thoughts:

1. I did not know she could reach/see up there. Good to know.

2. She was obviously plotting this move or she wouldn't have bothered waiting for me to leave the room.

3. It's sweet that she likes my baking.

4. That was the last cupcake, dammit. 

First Time Strawberry Pickin'!

Monday afternoon we went on an adventure. We'd never been strawberry picking before and for whatever reason the idea of picking our own fruit sounds so much cooler than grabbing a pre-picked carton.

I am naive and know nothing about farming and actually attempted to visit this farm in November to go strawberry picking. Ha! Turns out strawberry season is March and April here. I was just anxious, okay?

Mak felt extra special holding the bucket.

But walking while holding the bucket wasn't really her strong suit, so I took over bucket duty while she ran free...

Then we told her to "find a red berry and pull it!"

The problem was, she wanted to pull it from the ground and IMMEDIATELY eat it. Mmm dirt. After some negotiating we got her to drop them in the bucket. She of course followed this with a round of applause for herself. 

Such an awesome family day at Country Best Farms. We got about a pound of beautiful strawberries (that I have yet to use, but that's not the point - haha) and plan to go back before the season is over. See I'm starting to understand the season thing now.

We finished off the evening at Cheeburger Cheeburger. Chili cheese fries, burgers and milkshakes? Yes please. Oh and lemons for the baby girl ;-)

Makaela's First Easter!

Even though she is almost 13 months old, this is baby Mak's first Easter! Last year Easter fell on March 31st...the day I went into labor and was admitted to the hospital. This Easter was SO much more fun ;-)

 

We "hid" Makaela's Easter basket and started out the morning with a hunt to find it. She was super excited, not sure if it was because Elmo was on the basket or because of all the sugary treats inside.  She picked out the basket around Valentine's when her love affair with Elmo first began. 

Her basket was stuffed with plastic eggs, rubber duckies, a ball, chips ahoy cookies, mini m&m's (she is obsessed with shaking the tube), kit-kats, and of course peeps!

Yep, those are her infamous Christmas PJs, my baby sported her "Sunday Best" all day. 

The day before Easter we colored eggs. It was a messy good time.

Our fingertips were dyed pink for a good 24 hours. It looked like a manicure gone horribly wrong.

 
Oh Daddy, don't you want this blue egg?

I think they turned out pretty darn cute. Good job master finger painting baby!

Was that enough close-ups of eggs for you? Haha. Turns out we aren't the only ones who like Easter Eggs...good thing the one this little guy is playing with is made of plastic :)

Next year I have HUGE plans...they entail dressing Makaela in current holiday appropriate attire, and making these delicious delights for breakfast. Go big or go home guys, okay?