We Are In Trouble Now!!

It's official....

WE HAVE A WALKER!!!!

She started by just taking little steps here and there between the couch. In the last week or so we could get her to walk between us 3-4 steps before falling. Yesterday she toddled her way across her Aunt Whitney's living room, and then there was no stopping her today! She's still pretty wobbly, but I'm pretty sure she will be taking off 100 mph any day now!

This next video cracked me up because of the last few seconds. As you can tell we were using yogurt treats to get Irelyn to walk back and forth. Yes, I know this is how you make a dog do tricks too. That is why you can see Toby in the background begging for treats! At the end you will see something that doesn't happen often at our house....Irelyn gets to touch Toby! He usually runs away too fast for her, but he was so focused on the treat that he didn't see her sneak up on him!

I'm pretty nervous for this new milestone! She is already hard to keep track of because she can crawl fast as lightening. I can't imagine what it will be like trying to keep up with her now!

Red, White, Blue, and One!

This Fourth of July was pretty eventful, because our little Firecracker celebrated her 1st birthday! 

We started the day off with a yummy breakfast of pancakes topped with strawberries and powdered sugar, all on her special birthday plate!

 

After preparing all day it was finally time for the big celebration!

We had a BBQ in our backyard with family and friends. I was so excited to see everyone, and was so glad they could all make it for Irelyn's big day! 

 

 

 

 

Cousins - Cierra, Saige, Irelyn & Kennidee

 

Julie of course impressed us all with the cake and cupcakes! THANK YOU!

Tigers Blood Sno'cakes'

Our little fam

Blowing out her candle

Love this girl!

Giving her new dolly loves

The cards were her favorite! She got so excited when we would open them!

She enjoyed her cake this time, but didn't want to get sticky, so she was a very careful with the frosting!

 

 Her party went off without a hitch, and it couldn't have been more perfect! She was her sassy, bubbly self the whole time, showing off for everyone! Since she is a bit of a mama's girl, I kept out of her eye line for the first bit so that she would have fun with all of the party goer, but when it came time for the cake & presents she was all mine :)  I know she will probably not remember the party, but I hope she will always know how many of the people at that party love her! I'm still laughing at how when we started singing happy birthday to her she got so excited, flapped her arms and laughed out loud! She knew we were singing for her! 

12 Months

Wait...did I really just write that? 12 Months?!?!? When did this happen? When did my little sweet newborn turn into a toddler? I can't believe how the time flew! I don't have time to be sad about it though because this little firecracker keeps me on my toes everyday!

First and foremost I have to share her biggest milestone of the month....she FINALLY will say Mama! I was starting to feel left out when she would walk around the house saying Dada, and Baba (This is what she calls Toby...and her bunny, and her baba :)) Then one day out of the blue she looked at me and said mmmmmamaaaa with a big smile on her face! Now it is her favorite word, and I get to hear it all day! She has become quite the talker. She will carry on entire conversations with you in baby sentences. Oh, how I wish I could understand jibber jabber! She has started answering questions, but the answer the always "Yeah!"

 She is affectionately referred to as "Hurricane Irelyn" because she leave a trail of destruction wherever she goes!! She loves getting into anything and everything she can find! Beware if you leave your fountain drink anywhere within her reach. As soon as she sees it she will have your straw out in two seconds flat. She has discovered cupboards and drawers, and now nothing is safe! Daddy has baby-proofed the kitchen, but mommy is afraid he adult-proofed it too. Those cupboard locks are impossible! She can now get to anywhere in the house she wants to go by either crawling like a mad woman, or inching her way along furniture and walls. Unfortunately, she is fascinated by the fireplace. I've been trying to teach her that it is hot, but she doesn't care, she still wants to play with it.

 

 She has become an even better sleeper in the past month, sleeping nearly 12 hours every night, which is up from a 6-7 hour block, bottle, then another 2-3 hours block. Its been nice getting to sleep in a little!

 

This past month brought Billy's first Father's Day! I'm pretty sure this princess has a tight grip on her daddy's heart! He loves her so much, and loves playing with her all the time! Not a day goes by that I don't walk into her room and see them both sitting on the floor playing with her toys! This girl loves her Daddy!

I don't know what more to say that I already have over the past 12 months, but I will say that this has been the most amazing - sometimes difficult, but still incredible - 12 months of my life. It has been a whirlwind of learning and loving new things, incredible moments, and joy! Irelyn has brought so much happiness into our home, and she is so loved by everyone around her! I'm so excited to see how much she learns and grows in her second year! Love you so much Baby Girl!

*12 Month Stats*

18 lbs 13 oz - 35%

28.5 inches - 25%

Head - 25%

Weight for Length - 44%