Family birthday

Our family tends towards the larger side, so we decided to do two parties for Lila. We held her family party at Aunt Carrie's this past Sunday. What a good time!

We were able to use the decorations from her first party, and we had plenty of plates, cups and napkins. A few appetizers and this lovely cake from Costco and it was a party!

Lila had a blast walking around and playing, and opening her presents! She is getting good at the tissue paper, that's for sure. Hayden helped and Zoe tried to keep Lila interested, but one-year-olds have a short attention span.

No matter at all, she was plenty interested when it was time for cake!

Emily and Lila sat in dueling high chairs, enjoying their cake, while Zoe held puppy Josie most of the time and the boys rough housed around with Eric and Jay. All in all, we had a great time and were grateful for the ones that could come. Weather cut out a few people from the guest list but we'll hopefully see you in Feb!

12 month check up

That's right, just after the birthday comes the birthday check up. I dread the appointments with shots. I know she needs them, but man are they heartbreaking!

Lila had a blast walking around the doctor's office in her diaper, just free and content to explore the clean floor in the exam room. We saw a new nurse this time, but still our favorite doc, Dr. Lentz.

Lila was 20 lbs (!) which puts her in the 44th percentile for weight. She's chunking up! She was 29.25 inches long, down a little to the 56th percentile. Growing, growing, growing!

This time around, she needed four immunizations, as well as the other half of her flu shot. Before they got down to business, they did her finger prick to test hemoglobin and for lead. All clear! They put five little needles in her legs, which made her HOWL and sob uncontrollably for about 2 minuites. She finally calmed down but boy was she a sad girl.

She did get a free birthday pass to the Children's Museum, and we can't wait to take her when all the birthday hoopla calms down! We got the go-ahead for whole milk (which she is not yet a fan of) and don't go back for three months. Yay!

After her shots, Lila is usually tired and a little whimpery. This time around, she had a pretty high fever and was generally uncomfortable. She had a fever most of the night, so mommy stayed home with her for the day. She slept six solid hours and was back to her old self! I think she just needed to sleep off the medicines and get back on track. She ate and drank well yesterday, and went back to sleeping 12+. Phew!

I knew you were trouble...

Hayden's new favorite song is "I Knew You Were Trouble" by Taylor Swift. This replaces his old favorites, Guns 'N Roses' version of "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" and "Rumor Has It" by Adele (which Hayden sings, "Boomer has it!"). He loves it, so I bought the album so he can listen to it in the car on the way to school in the mornings (when he is most cranky). (Yes, I still buy albums. I didn't download it, I purchased a CD in a real case).

Getting ready for school this morning, he was having a hard time listening. Fighting me every step of the way, everything was the end of the world. Finally, I said "Hayden, please don't get in trouble before 7am. It will be a long day." He looked up at me, deadpan, and said, "Trouble, trouble, trouble!"

Needless to say, our days both went a little better after that.

My helper

Hayden absolutely loves to help in the kitchen. I try to encourage that, except for things involving the oven. I'm clumsy enough. But whenever I bake, he always gets to help!

Honestly at this point, I think he can make the kahlua cake as well as I can!

And the best part...licking all the stirring parts!

Vocabulary

Hayden loves to learn new words. So when we bought Lila maracas for her birthday, he tried and tried until he finally got it right.

Last night I was throwing away chinese food boxes when Hayden got curious...

H: What's that building?
Mom: A pagoda
H: A pagoda?
Mom: Yes, very good Hayden.
H: And who lives there, the master and his ninjas?
Mom: Well sure Hayden. They have them in Japan.
H: Can we go there sometime to see a pagoda?
Mom: We sure can. You mom has been to Japan and seen a pagoda.
H: (eyes wide) When you were a ninja master?
Mom: Haha no Hayden just when I was younger.
H: (very seriously) That's the tallest building I ever saw.

I love his associations!

Chuck E Cheese

For Lila's actual birthday, we took our first trip to Chuck E. Cheese. I hadn't been since I was a kid, but the rest of my family was there for the first time. Truthfully, it was more for Hayden than Lila, since she can't really play any games. But we figured everyone would be happy with it.

We ordered pizza while the boys played a few games. Lila turns out not to be a big fan of pizza, but we brought her food just in case. Hayden had a blast with the games and getting prizes with his tickets.

And the birthday girl seemed to have a good time too.

We love you sweet girl!

12 months old

Well here it is. The last of the monthly pictures of Lila. How does it all go by so fast?

Six teeth, drinking milk, walking like a champ. Happy birthday little girl!