Look who's ONE!

Alexis is ONE!

It feels nearly impossible that Alexis is a full year old already, but here she is rocking it!  Our lives have become a whirlwind as of lately with all of our separate (and combined) activities, that I need to just take a moment to reflect on the fact that my baby girl is ONE.  We celebrated at our house.  Unfortunately the weather was less than conducive for some party goers, but we made the best of a lousy wintery day. We had 6ft subs, pasta salads, and of course a one-of-a-kind cake by Aunt Michele.  You were thoroughly impressed with the mini Kitchen we got you, the Paw Patrol ride on toy gifted to you by Nanny, the Cinderella carriage with sound effects and lights from the Gentiles, and of course anything baby doll related which your Aunts and cousins spoiled you with.  Thankfully I've been jotting down little things here and there to help commemorate the milestones and eventually I'll transpose them into your baby book.  You may be five by the time I do it, but at least I've got these posts to refer back to.  So here's what a year looks like for you my sweet Alexis:

Twelve Months

Height:  29.75"

Weight:  21lbs 12.9oz

Clothing size:  18 months mostly

Diapers:  size 5

Likes:  

• Being able to get around.  You started walking around 11 months, by 12 months you are keeping up fairly well with your brother and chasing down the dog.
• Sleeping.  You're still a great sleeper and for that I'm thankful.
• Emptying the DVD shelves in the living room.
• Dancing.  You kind of swing your arms and bend your knees.  Occasionally you move your arms/hands like a hula dancer.  It's cute.
• Running around screaming "Goya Goya Goya" -  not sure what that means, but you say it A LOT.
• Your brother.  You adore him and the feeling is mutual.  It melts my heart.

Dislikes:  

• Being told "No."  Water works will ensue.  You may even throw yourself down.  Fun times.
• The high chair.  This goes back to your previous aversion to being confined.  You'll twist yourself sideways and try to scoot out of it.
• Not being able to fully communicate.  We've reached the screeching and crying stage because you can't really express your wants/needs just yet.  You know what you want but the rest of us can't understand your gibberish yet.

New developments:

• Using "come here" hand signals as well as the signs for "eat" and "more."
• Saying "thanks" when I give you a bottle.  We're working our way towards weaning.  Woot woot!
• Playing on your own.  Frequently we find you at your toy kitchen emptying the shelves of the fridge and standing on its oven door.
• Saying "No" like a dying cat.
• In addition to mean-mugging, you grit your teeth.  I attribute this to the fact that you're getting a mouthful.  At one your brother was lucky if he had one tooth.  You on the other hand have so many I've lost count.
• Squinty smiling for the camera
• Saying "uh-oh."
• Blowing kisses and waving bye-bye.
• Separation anxiety?!  You've started acting up a bit at daycare drop offs.  Your brother went through this every six months it felt like.  Hoping this passes quickly.  It's much easier on mommy's heart if you act like it's no big deal when I'm leaving for work.

Alexis Jayde

You might not be able to blow out the only candle on your cake. But as if it were the light of a million candles, your love brightens up our lives in a way that no one can explain. Happy 1st birthday sweet pea!