It's been a while

I haven't really had the time to update this blog and I have fallen way behind. So sorry for those that were looking at it. I hope to maybe start using it again. Between school, work and Makaila, this just isn't as important. But I do post everything to Facebook when I can. So check there!

Sarah

Handy Manny

Who would have guessed that little Miss Priss would love her Popa's tools!! Looks like we know what to get her for Christmas! Her very own, Handy Manny tool set! She's a handful at times. Thankful for the help I get from mom and dad. Don't know what I'd do without them! So, the other night, I was feedin Maki and she did her little dancin thing in her seat and I said, you want to sing!? And she shook her head yes, so I started singing, Jesus loves me. She was soo funny, sittin there moving to my singin and humming along herself. Then I said say Jesus, and she tried her best too! It's a pretty good Jesus if I do say so myself. I'm so proud of her. Then I said, does Jesus love you, Yes she nodded. Does Jesus love mommy, Yes she nodded! Ha Ha

My copy cat

Hello all. Makaila has done a lot of growing and learning over the past month and I need to share with you just how funny and intelligent my 14 month old is! We took a vaca to see her family in FL a few weeks ago and while we were down there, she started signing airplane and saying uh-oh. She also says Woah, Hey and Juice. She signs MiMi and she knows where her nose is. She loves for you to go, Honk Honk! She's almost completely off baby foods now and all about some real eaten. She tries to sign banana, and she said Night Night and Bath the other day. Now, she tries to repeat things you say. Like when I say sit down, she says something similar in her baby language, and she tries her hardest to talk to me but I have NO idea what's she saying still. We've been trying to get her off her passy this past week and so far it hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be. Yes, she cries her to sleep most days but the past two nights she has slept all night without it and the same with her naps. The problem seems to be her afternoon nap when she is just persistant on NOT going to sleep and she just screams bloody murder for an hour. Sometimes she falls asleep, but lately it's too late to even let her take a nap cause it will be bedtime soon enough so we just take her outside and let her wear herself out, then put her to bed early. It seems to be working ok. But I know she needs to be taking 2 naps a day. I don't know how we will fix this situation. She is starting to try and run a little and she swings her right arm everytime. She's really cute and comical at times. OH how I love her!!

Is there a such thing??

These past few weeks have challenged me as a mother and I have to say it's been quite interesting. I'm starting to think that there is a such thing as "terrible ones"!! I've always said that Makaila was the best baby ever and honestly she is, or was. She's not so much a "baby" anymore and I can hardly claim her as one except when she throws her little fits as "acts" like a baby. Wow, do they learn fast!? Since she's turned one and learned how to walk, somewhat feed herself and play/read by herself, she wants nothing to do with anyone that will help her. She's the most independent child I've ever seen! AND on top of that STUBBORN to the core! How many times can you tell a child no, and pop their hand or thigh before they get it!!??? MOMMY MEANS NO, and SHE'S in charge! It seems punishing her isn't an option at this point cause she doesn't understand and to spank her just makes her cry for a second and do it again. She test's me EVERYDAY!! "Let's see if mommy with let me do this? Let's see if mommy will let me have that? Let's see if mommy will let me not take a nap today? Let's see if I can make mommy LOSE HER MIND!" Ha Ha Ha I might be over exaturateing on some of this, but seriously, she's doing all she can to have her way and I'm getting tired of it! When will it stop!? She throws her food in the floor, fights me to change her diaper and dress her, fights me to sit her down to eat, only wants certain things instead of what I give her and loves to make a mess and spill her milk/juice! She hits and pulls Reagan's hair when she's got something she wants or does something she doesn't like. She's starting to become mean. She swats at me and mom and will throw a fit in the floor if she's tired enough. PLEASE LORD, let this time pass quickly and give me strength! Poor MiMi! She's got all three of the kids and 2 that like to fight! What will happen next!? Look out family in FL! You're in for a show and long ride this weekend!! YAY!

She's a Dancing Queen...

I have learned a lot from my daughter, but thing I've learned recently, is that she loves to dance more than any person I've ever seen!!! It doesn't matter if it's coming from the T.V., radio, a person, the washing machine, water running, if it's loud or soft, slow or fast, she's gonna move to the beat! I LOVE it. I will defiantly have to put her in classes one day. She's my little dancing queen....

She's starting to talk more

So this week has been an interesting one, but she always knows how to make me smile. She's had a double ear infection and everyday seems to be getting better. She's got 12 teeth now. Her two bottom molars are finally broken through and she's been a trooper through it all. She's learning more and more new things everyday and can sign 7 signs as of now. (Bye, Milk, Peaches, Please, MiMi, More, and Dog) She can say Momma, Dada, Popa, Peaches, Bye, See, That and I think she's trying to say Thank you at times. Every now and then she'll say something that sounds like a word, but I never hear her say it again the same way. But she is just talking up a storm non-stop and I have no idea what she's saying. But it's kinda like Dabba Dabba Dabba and I'm just waiting for a "DO" to come out next. She's so smart and knows when she does and doesn't want something. She'll tell you "yes and no" by shaking her head and she loves to go outside and bye bye. For a one year old, I think she's wiz at all she understands and is able to do. What a joy I have in her!

Sick Baby

So we have had an interesting week. At first, we thought Makaila might have the chicken pox. So, we took her to the doctor to find out it's just a virus with a rash. Well, the pumps start to clear up and then she starts with a 100.1 temp yesterday and it just keeps going up. I know that that is normal for a virus but she just pitaful and so clingy and I can't do anything for her. It breaks my heart. The motrin and tylenol are helping to keep her temp down, but you can tell she's not herself. But even though she's sick, she was still able to smile for the camrea this morning. I hope she gets to feeling better this week. It's supposed to be pretty and she begs to go outside! We'll see...

Maki's first sign...

We were sitting in the kitchen feeding Makaila some left over birthday cake, and we asked her if she wanted more, and of course she shook her head yes, and then we said say please, and Mimi helped her sign it the first time, then everytime we would say please, she would sign it on her own. Now it's her favorite thing to do and she also signed "peaches", our dog, for the first time last night. She started blowing kisses this weekend too! I wonder what else she'll do this week....

Learning and Growing...

So, last night, I found out that my daughter is a wiz! Ha Ha, ok, maybe not as much as others at 1 year, but to me, she's smart! We were sitting in the kitchen, eating dinner, and she kept talking about daddy. Dada this, dada that, I could not make out one thing she was saying except, Dada. So I said, Where is Daddy, In Iraq? And she shook her head "Yes". Ha Ha Ha So then I decided to test it, she was eating a fig newton and I said, you want more?, again, she nodded "yes" and looked at it and opened her mouth! So then I said, do you miss daddy, she shook her head again, next, do you want a bath, her eyes got wide and she shook her head "yes"!! Maybe this is petty to some, but my little baby actually understands what it means! Also, she was giving me high fives and raiseing her hand in the air doing "1" when I asked how old she was! WOW! She's not so little anymore! I'm trying to get her to blow kisses, and she did actually kiss her hand last night, but didn't really follow through with it and never did it again. But that will be next....

Time for cake....

So Saturday was Maki's Minnie Mouse party and oh boy, did she have fun! 11 kids with their mom's and dad's made for a loud, but exciting experience for her. Although she was tired, she was the best birthday girl ever and just loved the boys!! LoL. She had two boyfriends there, and at times, they just might have been more interested in playing with the balls than watch their girlfriend eat her cake! Oh, men! Anyways, it was time for the cake and she tried to eat the flame. At first she was hesitate to really "dig in" to the little pile of sugar, but with a little help from me and time, she did just what I have been dreaming to see her do. Handfuls at a time, she was shoving it in, and playing with her hands cause they were sticky. Fortunatly, she wasn't one of those babies that throws it, smooshes it in their hair, wipes it on their bodies or face. She was prim and proper as any little girl should be, haha. Once the sugar high was finished, it was time for the gifts. She slowly bur surely opened each one and pulled apart every piece of paper, pulled out every article of clothing or toy, and then decided it was time for a snack! She mossied her way on over to her cousin, Reagan, and shared cheetos. You would think by now, she'd be sick! But nope, she can eat like no other! She got clothes, some toys, stuffed animals, books, a puzzle, and swim suit, shows, dresses, hair bows, money, gift card, sunglasses, a picture of her and her boyfriend, and loads of LOVE!!! It was the best 1st birthday ever. After we left the party....she crashed.......

My baby girl is 1...

It seems like yesterday, I was in the hospital, husband by my side, eagerly waiting to see my beautiful girl, and now, here it is one year later, and I ask, "What happened this past year and Where has the time gone!?" I wish I could freeze time, or go back in time, and do so much more or change so many things. I feel like too much has happened this past year, and I've missed so much with her first year. I've let emotions get in the way, frustration come out at the wrong times and for no reason, and took for granted the times I had alone with her as an infant. Maybe it was because of all the trama, drama, hurt and pain this past year that has made the year flash before my eyes, but I do know one thing...she is what has helped me through this tough time. Besides my Lord and Savior, she's been my rock. I'm supposed to be the rock for her, and maybe at times, I was, but without her, I don't know how I would have handled this past year or woke up every morning. When I wanted to just curl up in bed and cry all day long, I would hear her little cry and that was my motivation to keep going. I knew I had to get up and do my job as her mother cause she needed me. She relied on me. I needed to be her rock. She needed me to be her comfort, her love, her mommy and at times, her daddy. Only God Himself could give a person that much strength, to be that many things to one person. I can't go a day without thanking Him for all He is to me and for me, and the marvelous blessing Makaila has been to me. So, as we conclude the week long celebration of her 1st birthday, I thank my Father for allowing me to be her mother. And I thank my baby girl, for being here when I needed her too....