Our baby girl had her first birthday last Wednesday! As of May 16th, Ivy is now the big o-n-e! Hard to believe it has already been a whole year since that day in the hospital down in Houston. We tried to make everything as special as possible (even though she won't remember any of it haha) so I have a few different posts to do.. This first one is just an update on what she has been up to these past couple months.
I also wanted to say a big thank you to my awesome friend Allison, who just so happens to live here in Phoenix, for taking all these awesome pics. She also helped us find the orchard and did a lot of the editing on the antiqued looking ones. We used the lemons because it was the theme of Ivy's party and I wanted to get a good pic to use for her invitation. They turned out so stinking adorable! I mean, I know my daughter is pretty dang cute (hehe) and I knew Allison had a pretty good eye but I think I got more than I bargained for. Thanks Alf! You seriously rock.
I guess the biggest news is she has finally gotten the hang of walking. She started taking steps before my last post around 9 or 10 months but it took her a little while to really get it down. And boy does she walk everywhere now. It is non-stop all day long. If she isn't taking a nap, she is walking laps around the apartment, usually caring toys or blankets with her. And most recently, with blankets on top of her head. It's pretty funny.
She is also finally a pretty good eater. She has 2-3 bottles and 3 meals a day. Still eats oatmeal/baby food in the mornings with yogurt. She will eat other baby food that isn't plain flavors, like the little jarred dinners that gerber makes.. Other than that, she likes string cheese, cooked vegetables, strawberries, bananas, pears, peaches, grapes, LOVES her veggie/cheddar puffs and yogurt bites, danimal drinks (some days), most types of crackers, any junk food we let her taste, lol.. Not too keen on chicken or many meats unless it's in a casserole or something, doesn't really like bread unless it's a good dinner roll from a restaurant, doesn't really like noodles or eggs either. Or juice. I have tried over and over and she spits it out every time. Oh well, guess that last one isn't really a bad thing.
Ivy isn't a very big talker still. She can say dadda, daddy, mama, gaga, baba, I did hear her say lala the other night which was a first, and she has actually said "bye"a handful of times to certain people. That was adorable. She has her moments that she babbles like crazy when we are at home or in the car but usually when we are in front of other people she stays pretty quiet. Except for during church. What is it with babies and not sitting still and being quiet for church? She thinks Sacrament meeting is her time to talk. Especially because she hears other babies squealing and talking.
I think she is going to love dress ups when she gets older because she already loves wearing things on her head, or around her neck, shoulders etc.. Usually on laundry day, when clothes are lying around, I find her wearing a dish towel on her head and one of my shirts hanging down around her neck. I have no idea how she gets this stuff to stay on. It's hilarious.
Her personality is already a feisty one, I can tell. Wonder where she got such that from. hehe.. I think between both Sam and I, she was doomed.. She's already started testing her boundaries with the word no. But she is quick to get over things that upset her, which is good, I think. Seems to be pretty independent, never wants me to hold her hand or help her and only wants to walk around by herself (not beside us or following us) when we are out, if she's not in a cart or stroller that is..
Generally happy for the most part but not a super flirty baby. It's so funny because when people try to make her smile in public, she just stares at them. UNLESS they have an amazingly animated voice or personality (like Sister Hall who she loved almost immediately). Then she loves them. But if people are just wanting to say hi, she won't crack. lol! I think it's pretty funny..
When we are at home, though, she is super silly and all smiles (except when teething or sick, then everything upsets her, lol).. She loves to bounce along to her favorite songs from her Baby Einstein movies. Her favorites are Head Shoulders Knees and Toes, Old Mcdonald had a farm, and the Blue Danube one that the ducks sing to. She always imitates the duck noises, it's so funny. She also loves all the puppets. she thinks they are hilarious. Oh and she likes Sesame Street too. Her attention span isn't as long as for her einstein movies but she will watch it for a few mins..
She is a pretty good imitator these days. She loves copying me when I say words she knows or if I yawn, or growl, or make dog noises. It's fun. The growl comes from cookie monster. She discovered him one day and was growl talking for like 2 weeks straight. It was hilarious. She still does it from time to time but mostly if she hears cookie monster or some other type growl noise from anyone.
I mostly wanted to record the personality stuff because I think that is what will be the most fun to remember along down the road.. Sure I could go on about how she's a good sleeper most days and naps have been great, or that she still only has two teeth, etc.. but I think the other stuff is more fun to read. All I really care about is that she is healthy and growing and an absolutely riot. She fits right in with me and Sam, that's for sure. I guess that is how it works though, isn't it. ;)
And finally, her video. I love making these but not sure how many more I will do. Maybe one every 6 months? or every year from now on? I know I won't be able to do many for every kid but I'll do my best. I love having them. It's a nice little compilation of all the random videos I take from time to time...
(youtube is being funny and won't let me upload it so just click on the link to view it. thanks!)
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