Hey everyone! I'm officially a toddler! My first several consecutive steps took place on Sunday, 2/7, just five days after my first birthday. Mommy and Daddy were both there to witness and lots of excitement ensued. Since then, I've been gaining strength and confidence with my steps and I can now walk anytime I want! (However, I still prefer to do my crab crawl when celerity is important.)
Hey ya'll! I just got back about a week ago from over yonder visiting my Texas family. I flew out to Houston Hobby with Mommy and Grandma Linda on Wednesday, 2/10. Mommy's friend, Aunt Angie, and Aunt Michelle picked up Mommy and me from the airport and took us to Somerville. There we visited all the wonderful people who used to live next door to Mommy when she was growing up. Grandma Linda got picked up by Great Grandma and Grandpa Garner and they went to Lake Charles, Louisiana for some gambling fun.
On Thursday, Aunt Angie and Aunt Michelle drove us to Austin where I visited with Cuzzle Missy and Cousin Magnolia. Cuzzle Missy was a very nice hostess. She gave me presents and impressed us all by using a funky gadget to make sparkling water from flat water. So cool!
I missed seeing Cousin Paisley and Cuzzle Alan, but they had school and work, respectively. Hopefully, we'll all get another chance to visit soon.
Thursday evening, we had dinner at Junior and Tammy's house and then went to play at Nanny and Papa Green's house. It was so fun being around all the kids. I also loved showing off my new walking skills during those rare moments I wasn't being held. (That's right - I'm walking now! I will do a separate post to cover this breakthrough more thoroughly.)
On Friday, I went to a Valentine's Day dance in Somerville with Aubri and Austin (Aunt Angie's kids and my God sister and brother). Everyone wanted to hold me and I loved the attention. I also loved a particular monkey balloon which I insisted Aubri take me to see over and over again.
After the dance, there was a potluck dinner get-together at Aunt Michelle's house. There were so many people there who were really excited to see Mommy and me. I got so many hugs! I also got to try the infamous Blue Bell ice cream. I don't really see what all the hype is about, but Mommy totally pigged out on it throughout our trip.
Saturday morning, we went to see Aubri's basketball team, the Somerville Blazers, play against the Somerville Sonics. Aubri did a great job and helped lead the Blazers to a landslide victory.
After the game, we hung out at Junior and Tammy's for a while.
Then, a bunch of us went to lunch at a place that serves gigantic chicken-fried steak. Once again, I saw Mommy devour her food shamelessly. Grandma Linda and Great Grandma and Grandpa Garner came from Lake Charles to join us and take us to Palacios where Great Grandma and Grandpa Garner live.
On Sunday, Great Grandma and Grandpa Garner took us to visit Great Uncle Harold and Miss Carol in Beeville. Great Uncle Harold is a cool biker and he let me sit on his Harley. Mommy wouldn't let me go for a ride, though. Instead, she got geared up and went for a ride with him herself!
The rest of the trip I spent chillin' out at Grandma and Grandpa Garner's house. We had a good time, but I was very happy to get back home and see Daddy. Mommy and I missed him a whole bunch.
The best parts about my trip were meeting so many nice people, visiting people I love, having lots of kids to play with, and seeing all the pretty scenery and cows. The only bad parts were that I couldn't go outside much because of the weather, I had to spend a lot of time cooped up in transit from place to place, and I got sick with a nasty cold. I'm finally feeling better now. I just feel bad that I got Mommy, Grandma Linda, and Grandma and Grandpa Garner sick. I hope they all get well soon.
Thank you to everyone who hosted us, drove us around, fed us, and showed us a great time. I love you and I'm glad we got to visit.
For my one-year check up at the pediatrician's office, I weighed 17 pounds, 5 ounces and I measured 27 and 3/4 inches. The verdict - I am gaining weight more like I should be, but I'm still pretty small (5th percentile weight and 10th-25th percentile height). I have an unrestricted license to pig out, but I'm a pretty picky pumpkin. Some might say I'm a diva, but I think I'm just a lady of discerning taste. I'm very weary about things with lumps, chunks, and different textures. I also demand to be entertained when I eat. If Mommy and Daddy are holding a cup and spoon, then I want to hold a cup and spoon too. If you are going to feed me, then I want to feed you too. If I throw something on the ground, then I will refuse to open my mouth until it is picked up and handed back to me. Also, I often prefer to feed myself. It's nice to set my own pace - one orzo grain per five minutes is a fine rate. It helps me savor the meal and it teaches Mommy and Daddy to have patience. Sometimes I have to remind them who is in charge around here. Did I mention I'm a bit messy too? Anyway, let me know if you want to do lunch sometime. It's on me.
There were noteworthy developments in my 12th month. I've increased the number of words in my vocabulary to include "dog," "Bubba," "boob," and "balloon." Most other things can be identified as "dada" or "aggledug." I've also taken my first deliberate hands-free steps! Last week, I took one step and then stomped my foot. This week, I took two steps in a row before falling on my behind. I'm so close to walking; I can feel it! Just a little more practice and I'll be a legitimate toddler!
One of my favorite new things to do is to open my mouth as wide as I can until I make you laugh or join me in my silliness. See below:
Another one of my favorite hobbies is playing with the doggy door. I also love to hug and kiss my favorite stuffed animals; brush my hair and Mommy's hair; take off my socks; and play with Mommy and Daddy's cell phones. One thing I really hate now is getting my diaper changed. I flip and kick and scream and do whatever it takes to avoid it. If I don't mind being wet, why should anyone else mind it? If you ask me, diaper changes are just a waste of play time.
Stay tuned for an update from my one-year check up at the pediatrician's office. It will be cool to see how much weight I've gained. I've been eating a lot and my chin is getting fatty, so I'm surely getting up there in the lbs!
Today is a very special day. Yes, it's Groundhog Day, but it's also something even more special than that - my first birthday!!! Move over, Punxsutawney Phil!
To celebrate, we had a party at our house on Saturday. It was themed Tutus and Togas and I dressed up in a fabulous pink tutu. Lots of my family and friends came to play with me. There was an awesome ball pit (courtesy of Grandma Linda and Andy Pop) and my little friends and I had so much fun in it.
Mommy and Grandma O made a delicious organic carrot cake with yogurt-cream cheese frosting just for me and my baby friends. (There were also regular chocolate cake, vanilla cake, and banana pudding for the rest of the guests to enjoy.) While they presented the cakes, everybody sang and cheered for me. I felt very loved. I also got soooo many cool presents. Thank you to everyone who came and helped make my celebration extra special.
Here are some pics from cake time:
Below are pics of me with my cousins (Jackson and Oliver; left) and my Godbrother (Dylan; right):
Someone took my hair bow! I think it was Great Uncle Terry...
Below is a pic of one of my boyfriends, Russell, giving me a sweet birthday hug:
Today, for my actual birthday, Mommy took me to music class. I was serenaded once again and I got to go on two boat rides in the big drum. So fun! Then later, I went on a buggy ride around the neighborhood and had a nice long bath. Year two is off to a great start!
My doggies and I are becoming better friends all the time. I love to pet them, pat them, hug them, use them as push toys, and crawl into their little bed to snuggle them. I would even share my Mum Mums with them if Mommy would let me. Here is a pic of me hugging Bubba. He's so sweet and soft, and I just love saying his name.
I'm Baby Talley and I'm the cutest baby in the world! Keep me fed and give me your undivided attention and I'll be your wide-eyed, smiley angel. However, deny me milk and you will suffer my wrath!
Hey everyone! I'm officially a toddler! My first several consecutive steps took place on Sunday, 2/7, just five days after my first birthday. Mommy and Daddy were both there to witness and lots of excitement ensued. Since then, I've been gaining strength and confidence with my steps and I can now walk anytime I want! (However, I still prefer to do my crab crawl when celerity is important.)
