12 Months Old!

Hollis Leigh is 12 months old today!
Below is her 11 month summary...

Weight: 22lbs 13oz 77th Percentile
Height: 29.75" 71st Percentile
HC: 17.75" 50th Percentile

On the 28th of May, you had your 1 year check up! Dr. Steele said you looked great and commented that "you were just perfect" a couple times! She said your growth over the year has been steady and maintained the same growth pattern which is great. You had to get 2 shots and they also pricked your toe to check your iron levels. You didn't mind them pricking your toe, but you fussed big time when she was squeezing your toe to draw the blood out! You also cried the minute that she the needle hit your leg. As if all of that wasn't enough, you had to get pricked again. You were not happy and it didn't help that this was about 40 mins into your nap.

You can say so many things! You will say "wa-wa" for water, "dow" for down and you will motion your hand down, you now say kitty instead of just "kuh", you can say ball, bubbles, cookie and thank you. If we ask you to say a word, you will try your best to mock us. I can't believe how many words you already know! You also love to talk gibberish and look at us intently as if we know what you are saying. I love it!

You took your first step on April 25th and then took your first "long" walk on May 20th...you took 7 steps from Mommy to Daddy! Now, you will stand up holding on to something, let go and take off walking, but then you squat to the ground and finish off crawling. I wouldn't say you are a full walker yet, but you definitely know how to do it! The thing that gets you walking the most is your Sister-Kitty, Maggie!

You can point to your ear, eye, nose and head! We've been working on this and one day out of the blue you showed us that you knew them all! I've been singing "head, shoulders, knees and toes" with you and you think the motions are so funny!

You LOVE to be outside. There's been many of times Daddy will walk out on the back patio and you will go up to the window on the door and bang on it to get his attention. We've enjoyed snacks, chalk, bubbles and the swings outside. We've also gone to the park a couple times with Paw-Paw and you really enjoyed climbing all over the equipment!

You took your last bottle on May 23rd. We decided to go cold turkey on the bottles and formula. You didn't mind at all! You like whole milk and haven't missed your bottle one bit. We now give you a sippy cup of milk with breakfast, lunch and dinner. We were nervous about getting rid of your night time bottle, because it was a part of your nighttime routine. Normally you would say "bah-bah" for your bottle (when you saw it), but you haven't said that. Now we just cuddle you a little longer and read some more.

You got some fun toys for your birthday that you're really enjoying! I haven't gotten them ALL out, but the ones you are loving now are your cosy coupe car, minnie mouse rider, melissa & doug wooden hammer toy and picnic basket! You also LOVE bubbles!

Dr. Steele confirmed at your check up that you are getting your 1 year molars! Your gums are swollen. Thankfully, it hasn't affected your sleep, but you have been a little cranky.

Your new trick is opening up snack containers with your teeth! One day, you grabbed the puff container from the pantry (I had to move all snacks on the top shelf) and sat down. I didn't think you'd be able to open it so I just let you play with it while I washed dishes. The next time I turned around I watched you open it with your mouth and chow down on some puffs! you also figured out how to lift the rail guards on your crib with your teeth (see pictures below). Usually when you get up from your nap you will stand up and pull them all up and throw them on the ground. You little stinker!

We had a lemonade party for your Birthday! It was SO MUCH FUN and you were the cutest! I will have a separate post on that.

I know I have said this in previous monthly posts, but really, what did we ever do before you? You are the sweetest gift and we feel absolutely honored that God chose us to be your parents. This past year has been nothing short of amazing...You are JOY GIVER! When I'm not with you, I miss you! And when I'm with you, I can't get enough of you! We love you so very much sweet girl...more than words could ever tell! HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY!