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Sunday, August 26, 2012

Alina's 12-Month Update

Our active little Leo at 12-months-old
 
Little Alina turned one-year-old on August 12, 2012. She has accomplished so much in her first year; from learning to walk at a mere 10-months-old; to climbing and scaling every piece of furniture in our house; to baby talking and repeating back words; to expressing her first few feisty toddler moments (she hardly ever does, but when it happens the girl can squeal loud enough to stop traffic). It is truly difficult to believe that she has completed her very first rotation around the sun ;) in what feels like record time. Where did our baby go!?!? While we will miss her being so little, the excitement of watching her grow supersedes any feelings of baby nostalgia. She has been an absolute joy to raise this first year.
 
 
Eating breakfast...completely unphased by the wild bedhead
 

She is getting so tall, 93rd % baby!

 
Alina's 12-month growth stats:
 
Height: 31.5 in (93rd percentile)
Weight: 20 3.5 oz (52nd percentile)
 
At our most recent checkup, we discovered that Alina's weight has now shot up into the 52nd percentile! This was good news to hear, as I was somewhat concerned at how underweight she was at all her prior checkups. I transitioned her from formula to whole milk early, at 11-months-old, to help bulk her up a bit. In addition to her whole milk bottles, she eats like crazy. Her favorite foods are: chicken, pasta, rice, eggs, cheese, bananas, broccoli, cauliflower and squash. She eats most everything we put on her plate; but believe it or not, Elise is our most adventurous eater, she will try anything. Alina just started turning her nose up to tomatoes and a few other foods. I know the routine with kids appetites, they are cyclical and you'd better be prepared to give them second and third helpings during growth spurts. Alina had her most recent growth spurt right around 11.5 to 12 months. We are so happy to see her weight in the 50th percentile, and it looks as if we may have another tall girl on our hands because Alina is in the 93rd percentile for her height.
 
 
Big smile and look at all her teeth!

Laughing fit - she's happy and loved
 
In teething related news, at 12-months-old little Alina had a total of eight teeth, four on top and four on the bottom. She got her first molars in, top and bottom, at 12-months and three weeks old. In all honestly, I had no idea they were coming through until they had started to crown, she was that good. In fact, we barely heard a peep out of her due to teething. She was slightly fussier than normal, but nothing bad. Elise was extra cranky for a month straight when she got her molars in.


Dancing with her shoes...yeah it's a baby thing!
 
Alina had added a couple more words to her baby repertoire. She learned to say "baby" right around 12-months-old, and this is her favorite word. She loves pointing to photos, of her and Elise, on the fridge and saying "baby" to each one. She can almost say "sissy", but it comes out more like "sissa". She is also in the early stages of working on her ABCs, so far she can say "aaaa, bbbb"...we're still working on the rest, but it is super cute hearing her shout "aaaa, bbbb" for 10 minutes at a time. Overall, Alina is still a baby of few words, she is more interested in singing and music; I think she may be able to sing an entire song even before she learns how to string a sentence together :) Although she can't say all the words yet, she can perfectly hum the tunes to, "Twinkle, twinkle little star" and "Frere Jacques". It is so cute to hear her hum along when we sing these lullabies to her before bed. She also loves to dance! Any time there is music on, she slowly starts nodding and bobbing her head and then she puts one hand out and waves it back and forth to the beat. One thing is for sure, she is taking after mommy and becoming a little music lover. 

At 12-months-old little Alina is virtually fearless. As I said before, she loves to climb and stand on everything she possibly can, no matter how precarious. She has since progressed to riding Elise's push cars and mini battery powered quad runner. She also gets a big thrill from attempting to ride her sister's bicycle. Alina is such a mini daredevil, and when she falls she rarely cries, she just picks herself up and climbs again. She is one tough toddler!


Already trying to ride big sissy's bike

 
Alina is such a loving little girl. She has always been incredibly sweet, but at 12-months-old we are really starting to see the depth of her affection toward all of us. She gives the best full body hugs! She will come up to us, throw out her arms, lay her head down on our chest, and proceed to cuddle for over a minute at a time. It is the sweetest thing ever, and I fully enjoy every moment of it. Alina also loves to give kisses to all of us before bed each night. She is always in a good mood, and it has been the biggest joy to care for her over this first year. We look forward to countless more cuddly moments with her!



Love her :)
 

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Alina's One Year Photo Shoot

Our happy little one-year-old
 
Cute little walker on-the-go, we had to chase her for photos

Her sweet smile :)
 
Love this expression, she's ready to explore
 
Little doll - thanks to Christy Leopold for the photos!
 
Mommy with her sweet birthday girl

Her beautiful little profile
 
Aww, mommy and daughter hugs
 
Friendly Alina waving to all the passers-by
 
Yay for chubby cheeks
 
So in love with our sweet little doll

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Happy First Birthday Alina!

Our adorable birthday girl at one-year-old

 
 
Baby doll Alina,
 
Today you are one-year-old and it has us wondering just where the time has gone! It feels like only a few weeks ago, we were holding you in our arms at the hospital; a tiny and perfect bundle of newborn joy. You were so fragile and beautiful, and your birth was the most joyous occasion.
 
Over the course of your first year, you have brought immeasurable love and fulfillment to our home; our family feels complete. Mommy, daddy and your big sister, Elise, are absolutely smitten with you. You are the biggest sweetheart and we all affectionately refer to you as our "doll". You are an adorable little girl, and we can't get enough of your precious chubby cheeks, pouty lips and sweet baby doll eyes.
 
At one-year-old, your little spirit and personality has begun to shine through. You are the most mellow and easygoing little girl. You rarely ever fuss, and you always wake up with a smile on your face. You're our little love bug. You love cuddling, giving hugs and kisses, waving hello and goodbye to everyone, and you relish your time in mommy and daddy's arms. That being said, you are also quite an inquisitive and determined baby. You were an early walker, and have since moved on to running, climbing, and daredevil stunts :) You are not afraid to get messy, and allow nothing to stand in the way of a good thrill. We see you as a very active little girl at heart, and foresee this being a trait that you will always keep.
 
Mommy and daddy are so overjoyed by your sweet-natured personality. You have been a breeze to care for over this first year, as you are just always so lovable and content. We foresee you as being our little adventurous optimist; full of love and high spirits. We hope that you will always think positively and keep your zest for life close to heart. We know that you will follow the right path in life, with a bit of adventure along the way, and that you will surround yourself with people who love and care for you as much as we do. Sweet Alina, you will forever be our beautiful, loving baby girl; remember that you are in our hearts always.

Love,

Mommy, Daddy and Elise

Sunday, August 5, 2012

California State Fair Photos 2012 - Art & Exhibitions

 
Totytopia exhibit - California State Fair 2012
 
All four of us posing inside Toytopia 

Zoltar machine in the Toytopia exhibit

Mommy, Alina, Crayola

Colorful exhibits at the California State Fair
 
Elise wanted to take home this cool unicorn sculpture

Alina posing as corndog Mona Lisa; love it!

Some of the vibrant artwork at the California State Fair 2012

Sculpture influenced by the Terra Cotta Warriors of China
"Everynight I save you" by Amelia Lewis - beautiful piece

Alina, our littlest art affectionado

Posing next to the tallest stack of cupcakes ever

Beautiful Beatles Anthology patchwork quilt
 
Detail of the super cool Beatles quilt