birthday interview: 1 year old

So, this is a few months late, but it should be fun when Makayla can answer the questions for herself.

This year, I'll take the liberty of answering through her eyes (or, on her behalf).

Makayla's 1 year old Birthday Interview

1. How old are you today? one

2. How does it feel to be one year old? Great, I love playing and having fun. Since I'm older now I can walk and run and play by myself. I get to eat better foods now that I'm older, but I still love my milk.

3. Do you have any advice from your year of experience? You know, things you have learned that you want to share with people. Pacifiers are the best, shots are not. Milk is always a good choice, and sleep is good...I don't know why I doubted it for so long.

4. How was your day? Great, I always have fun and play.

5. How is the weather today? Nice, sunny, not too hot. I don't like it too hot, because I sweat.

6. What do you think is the most important thing you've learned in life so far? That I'm a sweet girl...my Daddy tells me so everyday.

7. How do you think you're different from a year ago? I'm not a baby anymore, I'm a big girl!

8. What's your favorite thing about yourself? My laugh, everybody loves it.

9. What is your favorite color? pink

10. What are some of your favorite foods? yogurt, banana, bread, pasta, lots of things

11. Who are your best friends? Mommy and Daddy, and I like my teachers at school a lot too

12. What are some things you like to do? have Mommy read to me, watch DVDs, pull things out of drawers and cabinets, drag my blankie around, go on stroller rides to see puppies at the park, play outside

13. What sports do you like? running around, it used to be speed crawling but now I can run

14. Tell me about your family. It is me and Mommy and Daddy. I love my family. We play with my cousins a lot, too.

15. Do you think you'll ever get married? I don't know, I'm only one.

16. How old do you think you'd be when you get married? Daddy says I can get married when I'm 30.

17. Do you want children? they would be fun to play with

18. What do you want to be when you grow up? I picked the President duck at my party, so maybe that

19. What's your favorite toy to play with? anything I can find in the pantry

20. What do you like to wear? I'm mostly concerned with my shoes, they are my favorite

21. Did we take any vacations this year? Which was your favorite? When I was first born we went to Waycross to see Nana and Papa, then to the beach at Fernandina and to Duck with the Colbergs, then back to Waycross to visit at Christmas. We also went to Knoxville to visit Aunt Ali and Uncle Jimmy, to Columbia to see GG and Rincon to see Aunt Emily and Uncle Jason. They were all my favorite.

22. What do you think about school? It is a lot of fun. I've been going to school since I was 3 months old and have moved up from Nursery 1 to 2 to 3 and just recently to the Toddler class. I like all my teachers and we have fun each day. Each teacher tells me I'm her favorite. I like to learn new things.

23. What do you like learning about? I like reading books and learning new words and sign language.

24. Tell me what you've learned about boys this year. They make lots of messes and I have boy cousins that are fun to play with.

25. Anything you are scared of? Not really, but sometimes I don't like Mommy to leave me.

26. In the last year, what have been some of your favorite books, movies, and music? My favorite books are called Doggies and Hey, Wake up. I also like my lullaby book that plays songs. I like to dance to the music. I like my Signing Time movies, VeggieTales, and definitely Curious George.

27. If you had a whole day to do anything you wanted, what would you do? Play with my cousins, go swimming, eat lots of good food and take a long bath.

28. What things make you happy? Spending time with Mommy and Daddy, and their hugs and kisses.

29. What things make you sad? If mommy has to leave, getting shots at the doctor, and when I lose my paci in the crib.

30. Any life lessons you have learned? If you cry, they will give you milk.

31. Anything else you'd like to say? Final thoughts? I'm a big girl!!!

makayla: 15 months

The 15 month mark has come and gone,

and Makayla is much more a toddler than a baby every day.

Her 15 month well check was today

and she weighed 20.8 lbs (15-20%)

and measured 30 inches tall (30-40%).

Her doctor said she is still petite but

her weight is in a good range for her height,

which took a bit of jump since 12 months.

She's going through a mommy stage right now,

so I get the bulk of the hugs, snuggles and holding.

Makayla has learned to close doors recently,

but doesn't like it when she realizes she has closed herself

into a room without you. She does like to run into a room

with you, though, and shut the door behind her.

She is enjoying books more now and

we can tell she understands a lot more

of the things we say each day.

She is starting to say something

that sounds like "yes" in response

to questions, especially,

"Are you hungry?"

"Want a snack?"

"Ready to eat?"

because she still loves a good meal.

we love this face

this smirk she does,

like she's trying not to smile but knows a secret and wants to laugh

here's that 'lil smirk again...love it

makes us laugh everytime

Makayla likes to watch her VeggieTales movie,

and she will sit on the couch and snuggle

with us and her blankie.

She can climb up and down

stairs and the couch

by herself now,

but will reach up for

help if you are there.

She has a few beloved "blankies"

(one in particular) and a favorite

pillow. She usually tries to take

both of them out of the crib

with her in the morning, or after a nap.

She is definitely on a one nap

schedule now,

and naps after lunch

for a couple of hours.

Makayla moved up into the Toddler

class at school last week,

and has received glowing reports so far.

She still loves to go outside

and squeals for any doggie she sees.

She is able to keep up with her

cousins more easily now

and loves running around

and making messes with them.

She is a big helper

and likes to help me pick things up

and throw things away.

We have to watch her though,

because sometimes she likes to

pick up any random thing

and throw it in the trash.

I was watching her play a few

weeks ago, and it consisted

of digging through a cabinet,

finding our checks and throwing

them all away

(thankfully into a clean and empty trash can).

At least she was trying to help tidy up, right?!

Such a little independent lady.

Growing leaps and bounds.