Blah, Blah, Blah

My blog will not allow me to upload pictures right now, but I wanted to type out a few things I want to remember about Kaylea right now. She has started blowing kisses. I captured it on video. She puts her hand up to her mouth and pulls it away. She doesn't actually blow. When you say Peek-A-Boo, it's an automatic reaction for her to put her little hands over her face (or sometimes her ears).

Her vocabulary is expanding every day. Some of her new words that she will say regularly include - Pop, Nana, Mickey (we know what she's saying, but she doesn't quite have the M), Go Go Go, Row Row Row, Mama.

I am trying to capture all of these moments on video. It can be difficult at times because I also try to enjoy every moment and I never want to go grab the camera. I'll post some video when I get the blogger to work.

Ghost

Kaylea has decided she wants to practice being a ghost for Halloween - she walks around the house with her blanket in front of her fact. The only problem is, she can't see where she is going and runs into things and falls down. Jordy had told me about this last week, so when she ran into her crib today, it was so hard not to laugh. Is that terrible?

12 Month Update

Kaylea went to the doctor on Monday for her 12 month appointment.

Here are some things we want to remember about our little monster at 12 months old -

• On her birthday, she climbed the steps for the first time. It was also her first time trying.
• She says several words including duck, quack, cup, cat, doodie (aka doodle), vroom vroom, and daddy. She is starting to say mommy more, but not often. I don't think she knows that is my name.
• She is walking everywhere - she definitely prefers it over crawling.
• She still mostly eats baby food, but she is starting to like some table food. I think it is because she still only has 2 teeth. She eats mac & cheese, eggs (with ketchup), chicken, grilled cheese, and broccoli. Favorite snacks include gold fish and graham crackers.
• She is 100% attached to her blanket.
• She loves ducks!
• She love Mickey Mouse Playhouse, including the Hot Dog Song. She also likes Handy Manny and Hannah Montana - Daddy sings some Hannah songs to her while in the bathtub.
• She has her first passport stamp - Turks & Caicos.
• I sing her to sleep with songs from musicals - Oklahoma is our latest release.
• She still takes 2 naps and has recently developed a habit of waking up in the middle of the night.
• She kisses everything - characters in a book, all of her toys, mommy & daddy, and herself in a mirror.
• She loves the Doodle & the cat.
• She shows no fear!
• She play independently - her favorite toys include her Dora Kitchen and kitchen set.

I posted a few images from her photo shoot below, but they are small. I will update them when I get the CD. You can also view all of her pictures at http://www.courtneyparisphotography.com/.

The Cake

Kaylea didn't want anything to do with her cake. I think there was so much excitement that she just wanted to get away. I tried and tried to get her to try it. At one point everyone clapped for Kaylea and she just looked around the room. It's a moment I never want to forget. I thought she would tear into the cake. When we had her 1 year pictures taken, she at least put her hands in and tried it!

Trying To Get Away From The Cake

Not Sure What To Think

Mom Was Trying Hard

She Got A Small Sample

I Considered Putting It In Her Face :)

Happy 1st Birthday Kaylea Jordyn

I cannot believe Kaylea is a year old. Where did the time go? We celebrated with friends and family in Abby Cadabby style Saturday. Kaylea woke up in a great mood Saturday morning. I think she knew it was her birthday. My parents always sang me a birthday song on my birthday and the days leading up, so I have been carrying on the tradition. It goes, "I think it's someones birthday, I think it's someones birthday, I think it's someones birthday, and her name is Kaylea Jordyn." Kaylea actually cooperated and took a 2 hour nap before her party and woke up just in time to eat lunch before guests arrived. We had a blast and Kaylea was exhausted. Thanks to everyone who came to the party to help us celebrate and for all of the love you have shown our family this past year.

The Family

Her Totally Awesome Birthday Cake

Playing With Her Friends, Sam & Lucas

Enjoying Some Attention From Amy

Loving Her Purple Fairy Punch

Photo Shop

Beaches Resorts offers "complimentary" photo shoots with their professional photographers. Jordy and I have used them in Sandals. I was convinced we should do this since it was our first "family" vacation in years. I went to set it up and looked at the price list and could not believe what they charged. I decided we could create our own and I was very pleased with the results. Several times I looked at the poses the pros were doing and copied. Below are a few of my favorites.

Trina & Kaylea

Family Picture

Millie, Daddy, Kaylea, & Mommy

Daddy & Kaylea

My Favorite!

Cotton Candy - Yum!

I think these pictures speak for themselves!

Our Little Fishy

Our little girl loves the pool. I actually knew this before we went on vacation, but I didn't realize how much. She has no fear. I wish we would have found the baby pool sooner because when we did, our little monster was in heaven. She was trying to dive head first into the water and she didn't care how much water she swallowed! Another note, Kaylea has awesome skin. She did not burn at all and even came back a little darker than when she left.

Beach Bums

Kaylea decided to get up extra early most mornings while on vacation. I think we got up around 4am on morning and the latest she slept was 7:30, so we spent some early morning time on the beach. She was a little nervous about it at first, but seemed to like the ocean and the sand. Surprisingly, she did not try to eat the sand!

Daddy & K in the Atlantic Ocean

Mommy & K Posing For Daddy

Sesame Street

Beaches Resort partners with Sesame Street, so Kaylea was lucky enough to meet all of the Sesame Street characters. We wondered if she would be frightened, but not my baby girl. She was excited each time we saw a character. She would walk right over to try to meet them. We took her to the character breakfast on Monday morning. She would only let mommy take pictures with her (how convenient). We danced and sang and she loved every minute of it (I need to check out the video and see if I have the nerve to post).

In Her Elmo Dress Ready to Meet Sesame Street Characters

Kaylea & Zoe

Bert & Ernie

It's Grover's Nose!

Mom Has a Confession - She Wanted To Meet This Guy ;)

First Airplane Ride

Kaylea took her first flight on Friday, July 1st. We flew from Louisville to Atlanta and then on to Provincials. She did great. We had to wake her up a little after 4am. There was so much going on that she only took a nap on the first flight :( We were hoping she would sleep a little longer because she was all over the place on the second flight. Luckily, the second flight wasn't full so we had the entire row to ourselves.

At The Airport - the blanket is a must!

Checking Out The Airplane

All Tuckered Out

MIA

We've been missing in action for over a week, but no worries! We have been vacationing. Millie took the family (including our cousins Trina, Meagan, and Mikey) to Beaches Resort in the Turks & Caicos Islands. We had a blast and I have so many pictures, it is going to be difficult to decide which ones to post. Kaylea experienced a lot of first, so I will probably separate into different posts. We had so much fun, but are happy to be back home and in the regular routine.

Fetch With The Doodle

Kaylea loves to play fetch with the Doodle. She can't throw the dog's toy very far, but she tries and she thinks it is funny when the Doodle grabs it from her.

Will She Give Up The Bottle?

Hmmmm....will Kaylea give up her bottle anytime soon? It's not very likely, but mama is working on it. I've been giving Kaylea's her formula in a sippy cup, but she will only drink part of it from the cup. Oh well, she's still a baby.