The McKinlay Family: April 2011

30 April 2011

27 April 2011

I can't believe we just celebrated our baby's first birthday. We had a family party and it was a great time. The menu was all things Olivia loves. Pigs in a blanket, homemade mac and cheese and some fluffy jello. For birthday dessert there were chocolate cupcakes and homemade carrot cupcakes, both with homemade cream cheese frosting. It was a fun celebration but Olivia wasn't really so interested. She was too tired to care about cake and presents and all the fun stuff. She did cooperate a little though and helped Mommy open the presents. We had a good time as a family celebrating a wonderful first year with this sweet little lady.

Olivia at 1 year:

~ weight - 18 lbs 10 oz (15th percentile)
~ length - 29 1/4 in (50th percentile)
~ primarily walking these days
~ loves food, she will eat just about anything she's given
~ loves baths and has learned how to splash very well
~ has been completely weaned for a week now, she did it herself, cold turkey
~ loves to play with Zoey and Noah and Aunt Jenn
~ now cries when someone leaves the house without her
~ sleeps through the night, from 8pm or so until 7am
~ she is a very light sleeper
~ very happy most the time, she helps keeps the rest of us happy
~ currently her favorite toys are anything from Zoey's room and books
~ one of the most expressive little ones I have ever been around
~ is a fan of throwing things. toys, food from her high chair, whatever, whenever
~ likes drinking anything from a straw
~ learning to not hit, she is a hitter and she is fast
~ gives kisses
~ has 4 teeth
~ loves to run around in only a diaper
~ she does what we call baby magic, she walks with her arms stretched out in front of her and wiggles her fingers every time she walks

I am sure there are a million more things I should put but I can't think right now. I am just so used to everything she does since I am around her every day. The bottom line is that this girl is adorable. She keeps us smiling and we adore her every moment of every day. Olivia is a joy to have around and we are so incredibly grateful she is a part of our family. How lucky we are!

Reading some books with Grandma.

She so had no clue why everyone was all about her.

Her individual cake I made her. It wasn't all that but everyone loved it. A cake decorator I certainly am not!

The cupcakes.

This is her "I already ate dinner so why are you putting me back in my high chair?" face.

Now what?

You want me to do what?

Not really interested in cake.

The only way she would have any cake was if it was on a spoon and someone was helping her eat it. Silly girl!

Going for her first ride on her pony from G & G McKinlay. She LOVES it!

Yee Haw! Look Mom, I can already do it with just one hand.

We were so shocked that she was able to rock almost right away. We thought she would have to learn and get used to it but we were wrong. She just rocks away.

She rode her pony to the store to do some grocery shopping.

14 April 2011

1 Year Old

Olivia then, exactly 1 year ago today.

Little Miss Olivia turned the big 1 today. It is unbelievable how quickly the year has gone by. It has been a great year and one full of fun and excitement and joy with this tiny person in our home.

Olivia now, exactly 1 year later.

Enjoying some of her favorite snacks on her birthday.

Looking at her new musical book we bought while at Walmart.

Spending some time with her new favorite friend Mater.

She really lights up all our lives. It has been such a joy to watch her go from a tiny baby to learning to smile, roll, crawl, laugh, stand, play, and everything in between. Now we are watching as she takes more and more steps every day. She will be walking before we know it. I think one of the best parts of having her around is getting to enjoy her with my big kids. They absolutely adore their baby sister and they are just as thrilled with all of her milestones as me and Daddy are. Olivia truly is a light to our family. She is a great aide in tempering a heated moment and she certainly makes it difficult for anyone to not get over the grumps or being down. Her smile is contagious and she shares it often. I just can't say enough about this little lady. Olivia is wonderful and we are so grateful she is a part of our family. What a blessing she is and oh how much we absolutely love her.