twelve months

When I was pregnant with Malaikah, my mom told me how she felt like I had had 'a perfect first year' of life.  My brother was in preschool a couple days each week, and things just went along swimmingly for me.  Of course, I said to her, if I had a perfect first year it was all down hill from there!  With the exception of a 24-hour bug in August (her first fever! :/ ) I would say that Malaikah, too, had a perfect first year.  I hope that her years only improve!

This month saw quite a few developments:  two more teeth peeked through (total of six!), she started climbing stairs, and even a little chair in her room, at 12 months she was standing for 4-5 seconds unassisted - and now she's working VERY hard on walking but just can't quite execute it.   Malaikah continues to eat everything around her - this Quinoa Black Bean Mango Salad was a big hit (!?), corn, watermelon, apples, grapes, whatever.  I love it because it means if we go out/to a friend's house, I'm confident she'll eat something.  It also means I have to have snacks on hand always. When I open the fridge or cabinet door, she'll start scooting around, clapping, and screaming.  Basically, give this girl food allllllll the time.  She's not nursing all that much any more. It felt like Kyalo was nursing 24/7 for two years, so this is a welcome relief, but at the same time, is a little bitter sweet.  I miss the snuggle times with her!  I do hope to continue nursing as long as possible - it is special and helps to keep her healthy.

Other things: L O V E S to brush her teeth, loves reading, has started 'dancing' to music.  Has no discernible words yet. No 'Mama' or 'Dada' or 'Papa'.  Mostly she just points to everything and says something that sounds sort of like 'issh'  She does have a lot of grunting and general gesturing so I can sort of figure out what she's trying to say.

On her birthday I *had* to get a few more pictures - this time in a Kenya T-Shirt.  

future ballerina?

happy - and drool-y

At her 12-month doctor's visit she was weighed and measured and poked and prodded.  Three shots and a finger prick seemed a little excessive, but she handled it reasonably well.  

27 3/4 inches tall {7.75 percentile}

20 lbs 6 oz {60th percentile - let's be honest, we all thought she'd have gained more weight, given the amount she eats!}

People continually comment about how easy going or content she seems.  She is definitely a happy baby.  Kyalo & Papa are her favorite people.  

her happy spot

foraging

I'm not sure where most of the Cheerios end up - her tummy or the floor

At 45 seconds this video is a little long, but I love her determination here.

It has really been a wonderful year.  I love how every day seems to bring new changes and developments.  I really think she'll be walking soon - and then life will really change!  Here's hoping the second year is just as good as the first!