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....