Picture Perfect

I was on vacation last week so I took the opportunity to take Carina in to take some one year portraits at the Picture People. She did really well with the photographer and managed to stay in a good mood during the picture taking process so we got some very cute pictures. Dave and I went back a few days later to actually buy the pictures and of course we spent way more money than we needed to on pictures, but how could we not? She's so adorable!



It was also nice to spend some extra time with her. She is such a joy! It seems like she does a new thing every day. She continues to take a tentative step here and there by herself, but also loves "walking" while holding on to her stroller or the high chair (or anything else with wheels). She says hi, Ma (for Mommy), Da (for Daddy), and uh-oh. She waves like crazy and gives sweet, snuggly hugs.

She is still a good sleeper and a good eater. She usually eats whatever we are having cut up into small pieces. It has caused us to eat a little healthier which is good! Her only problem is that she loves food so much that she'll keep shoving it in until her cheeks are puffed out like a chipmunk and then she'll gag and have to spit some out. Her favorite foods seem to be squash, avocado, meat, and any kind of bread product (especially graham crackers). She's also drinking cow's milk! What a big girl we have!!

The Big One

Has it really been a year already? In some ways the time has gone by so fast, yet in other ways the past year has taken its time. It is still a couple of days until Carina officially turns one (February 12th), but we had a party for her yesterday so that our friends and family could help Carina celebrate!

Carina started the party with a bang - napping! When she woke up she put on her new party dress and was ready to go.
She had a fun time seeing all of the other kids (and adults too) and crawling around. When the time came for cupcake we stripped off the dress and sang Happy Birthday! At first she stuck a couple of fingers in the frosting to investigate, but in no time she realized just what this thing in front of her was (sugar!) and went to town.

Let's just say that by the time she was done there was not much left (well, that's if you don't count what was on her face). She even made sure to pick up the crumbs and lick her fingers! It was about this time we remembered the ice cream. We gave her some vanilla and she wasn't as thrilled with that. She must have liked that it was sweet because she kept trying again, but she did not like the cold at all! We took her straight to the shower and then she came back down to the party. She had fun opening her presents and watching everyone have fun.

Well, we've had one crazy year and we can't wait for the next one!

One Small Step

Watch out! Carina has taken a few little steps....I think we're in trouble! Once she really figures it out - will she ever stop?

She is also starting to eat "people" food. This past week we've tried lots of stuff just like Mommy and Daddy eat - just cut up into small pieces. She seems to like it most of the time, but when she's not up for dealing with pieces of food she'll just spit it right back out. It's making mealtime quite messy.

She also really loves to clap now. She gets very excited whenever she does it - sometimes so excited that she doesn't even let her hands meet in the middle. She'll just clap the air over and over again - giggling the whole time.

She's becoming such a big girl so fast. Will she really be one in just over a week?