Stella the ONE year old!

So I wrote this post on Stella's birthday, but couldn't get it all the way done...so it is just getting published today.  sorry.  Pregnancy is, unfortunately, just as I remember it...or maybe even worse.  I have been feeling horrible once again.  In the beginning, I really thought maybe this time would be better.  Well, that dream is long gone - so posting on the blog has obviously not been my first priority.  Posts may be few and far between, but I will try.  Anyway - on to the post from Stella's big day!

  

Today was Stella's first birthday.  It was her party and she was going to cry if she wanted to.  She is currently teething, and possibly a little sick as well, so her mood was not the most pleasant of moods.  I am currently sick as well, pregnancy related and non pregnancy related unfortunately, so I also did not get to do many of the things I was planning on doing for her birthday.  I had a cake envisioned in my mind, picture ideas floating through my head, an outfit to sew, and the list goes on... but I did not get any of it done.  Instead, Jeramia (the boy I babysit) and I did a little photo shoot with Stell today, but she was not happy for most of it, so good pictures are sparce, and then we went and bought Stella a mini birthday cake.  Boring, I know.   I was really hoping to do some exciting things because I think it would have helped me feel more excited about this day rather than a little sad that Stella isn't a tiny little baby anymore, but I did ok even without all the hoopla.  I am a little sad, but I think that being pregnant helps me to enjoy Stella getting older, rather than just wanting to keep her tiny, because I know that soon enough there will be another tiny little bundle, so I can just enjoy Stella in the stage she is in. 

Some things about Stella at 1 Year!

She is a climber.  She loves to climb on everything, but especially the couch and bookcase.  She will climb up onto the couch, and then climb up onto the back of the couch (which is not against anything in our house) so we have to watch her very closely these days.  I used to be able to leave her alone for a second while I ran to the restroom really quick, but I can't do that anymore.  She is too wild.  

She loves to bang on doors.  If Andy or myself goes into a room and shuts the door, she will go over to it and bang on it and yell until she gets it open, or we come open it for her. 

 

She initiates games of peekaboo by opening her mouth really wide in a surprised look.  When you catch on and open your mouth too, she hides her face behind the couch, or a blanket, or whatever is near her.  

She is anti eating.  This is a struggle every day.  She used to eat really well from Andy, but now she has learned how to spit things out, so even if we can shuv it into her mouth, it doesn't mean she has to eat it.  I am hoping this has more to do with teething than anything else...we will se

e.

She bats her eyes at strangers - little flirt.

When she wakes up in the mornings, or from her naps, she cries until I come in the room, and then she points to her teddy bear, or her zebra, both of which are in her crib, and wants me to pick them up and play with them for her.  

She holds phones up to her ear.  She also calls people - so we can't let her just play with our phones very often, which is very upsetting to her.  

She dances when she hears music.  She has done this for a little while, but her movements are getting bigger.  It is so cute to watch.    

She can give hugs.  If you tried to hug her before - she would just push you away.  She still does that sometimes, but once in a while, she will hold onto you and let you enjoy a little hug action.  

She has started to dislike her baths...again.  I thought we were past this.....nope.

She can fold her arms to say a prayer.  She doesn't always do it when we ask her - but when she does we feel so proud.

She weighs 19 pounds 2 ounces and is 30 inches long.

Hopefully I will have a video of the presents and cake experience posted soon... but it will have to wait for now.