1 Year Old

I guess this might be my last mont-to-month update. So, here is my baby girl:

Can you really resist that grin? I love how proud she looks in the second picture!

Stats:

Height - 29.5 in - 70th %ile

Weight - 20lb. 2oz - 30th %ile

Verbal: This remains her strength. Animal words are probably the easiest to get her excited about. Dog, woof woof, Duck, Cow, moooo, Pig, (not sheep) baaaaa. I think "pig" is one of my current favorites; it sounds like the "p" and "g" with no "i." Other words that she can say: Dad, Mama, Yeah, baby, Uh Oh (sounds like "uh uh"), Thank you (sorta),

Mobility: She is crawling. (see below) She walks while holding our hands. She is super cautious about pulling up, even about trying to pull up, and super cautious about falling to her bottom when she is holding onto something. But, she is finally becoming mobile!

Favorite things: books, animal toys, the song "Old McDonald had a farm", her daddy, dogs, playing with Mary-Knowles (does not want to play with me if we are at MK's house, MK has to be awake when she is awake)

Challenges: meal time! Anna-Kate has decided that she wants to be selective in what she eats, not a picky eater, selective at specific meals. 10 out of 10 moms agree that feeding a toddler is hard work!

My Favorite Thing: Anna-Kate has become really affectionate. She gives hugs often, many times patting our back when she does that. And, she l.o.v.e.s her dad! She falls out of my arms and onto her daddy's chest when he walks in the room.

What an amazing year we have had!

Birthday Girl

On Saturday, we invited our families (which of course included Mary-Knowles!) over to celebrate our little girl. Will and I felt like it was our way to say thank you for all the advice, babysitting, gifts, and support our families have given us through this year. (As well as my friend who one year ago sat at the mall two miles from the hospital for more than 4 hours so that she would be close when our baby was born.) A baby won't remember her first birthday, but this mom will remember the people who came to show that they love our little girl.

(I had to throw in this picture. I am proud of how my treats turned out. Materials required: ziploc bag with tiny hole cut in corner.)

We feel so blessed by the support that is offered, but I think Anna-Kate is also thankful that people are willing to spoil her with some material blessings.

Anderson and Mary-Knowles were ready to give Anna-Kate their stamp of approval. :)

Let Her Eat Cake

Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday Anna-Kate! Happy Birthday to you!
Make a wish, sweet girl!

Anna-Kate very tentatively reached out to see what was in front of her.

She tried a little bit,

and liked it!

This stuff is yum-my!

With all of my party guests watching, this would be a great time to show them I can play ...

....Peek-a-Boo, I see you!

Why is everyone laughing?

Needless to say, Anna-Kate enjoyed her first taste of cake. She did not, however, enjoy the wipe down she received before anyone could give her a birthday hug.

Life's Birthday Gift

Yesterday Anna-Kate's temperature climbed as high as 102.5! We went to the doctor and he said it was the very beginning of an ear infection. (If it was only the beginning, what would have full blown looked like?!) Today her temperature climbed as high as 103. The poor girl never falls asleep on the way to MK's house, but today she couldn't make it.

Needless to say, today was not the day to get the first birthday pictures. Don't worry baby girl, the doctor said you should be better by tomorrow, so definitely in time for your birthday party.

**Uummm, is it just me, or does "baby girl" look so big in this picture?

Bed Head

I think I will let this be Anna-Kate's audition picture for Tots and Tiarras!

Then and Now

August

(3months, 5 months)

May

(11 months, 13 months)

I really am a sucker for sleeping baby pictures!

Wake up Anna-Kate!

Mary-Knowles wakes up from most naps before Anna-Kate. She will hang out with me for maybe 2 minutes before she looks around and notices AK is not with us. She then stands up and with determination goes to get Anna-Kate. I agree; it is just not the same unless it is all three of us!

Bad Habits Early

Mary-Knowles! You should not be texting while driving!

MK, I think you are becoming too attached to your phone.

Birthday Boy

Happy birthday my handsome husband!!
I hope this year includes lots of your favorite things,

because you deserve opportunities to relax and enjoy life after all you do for your two girls!

I have loved being with you through all the new adventures of the past year, and I can't wait to see what the next year holds!

Call Me "Mom"

Becoming a mom...what an honor, challenge, blessing!

I now have only a glimpse into all my mom did. I love you mom!

Milestone Reached

Today Anna-Kate was sitting up in her crib when we got her up from her nap!! Now she needs to show Mama how she does it.

A Year Ago Today

I am 40 pounds lighter, but pride for my man has not changed a bit!

Hair Help

Hey! I could use your help. My hair is starting to get thicker. I could use some help on what to do with it. Here are a few of my favorite recent styles. Let me know which is your favorite!

#1 - The Natural Look

#2 - The Blueberry Do

#3 - The Stand Up Style

#4 - The Slick Back

So, what do you think?

My Best Friend's Wedding

Gardner-Webb girls!

LeAnne has been a friend since Gardner-Webb. She and I were roommates there my junior and senior years. Then we were roommates my first three years in Raleigh. She and I have laughed together and cried together more than any other friend I have. We have been to Italy and Malawi together.

Now we have stood up for each other as we said, "I do."

LeAnne and Scott met at Gardner-Webb, but didn't start dating until they lived in the Triangle. LeAnne and I enjoyed compared dating stories; I am excited that she is joining the wife club so we can compare notes there. Right now they are enjoying the sun in St. Lucia!

I think this might be my new favorite picture of Anna-Kate and her daddy!

The girls and I have been going out more lately. Walking in Cameron Village has been one of our favorite spots!
Something about Cameron Village makes us feel safe, like someone is watching out for us, ready to fight for us.

Ooooh, pretty. There has been pieces of art around. This "shiny" one was right up the girls alley.

We went back to music time at Tookie's Toys in Cameron Village this week. Anna-Kate remains happily enrapt the whole time Cotton leads music. Mary-Knowles however starts frantically crying at the mere sight of Cotton. It takes me 15 of the 25 minutes to get MK calm enough to sit down on the floor with Anna-Kate. She eventually starts liking the music, but I must distract her first.

The girls and I finally conquered a meal out, just the three of us, for the first time last week. Of course our destination was Chic-Fil-A.

I am loving the fun age we are at!