Savannah turns ONE!!!!

The day I had been secretly dreading for the past year finally arrived and I made it through while only shedding a couple tears.  My sweet baby girl turned 1 year old on November 8th, and she has grown into a vibrant, sassy, sweet toddler.  Her birthday party has held on the Saturday following her real birthday so we had a trial run of opening a few presents and tasting some birthday cake on Monday.

It's the birthday girl!

"Check me out! I'm walking!"

"I'm coming to get you!"

"Is it cake time yet?"

Bring on the presents

Daddy gave her diamond earrings

She didn't seem too impressed with money.

toys are always a favorite gift

she loved ripping the paper off

her new favorite bath toy

"hmmmm, what's in here?"

"IT'S GYMBO!! I LOVE HIM!!"

she was captivated by the candle

"icky!"

"Mom, do I have to eat it? I don't think I like it."

We've been getting a lot of packages lately and I'm starting to wonder why I spend so much money on Savannah's many toys when obviously her new favorite thing is..............a cardboard box!

"This is a great birthday present!"

The first official mark on the growth chart--29 1/2 inches!

She had to make a few calls to tell everyone how big she is now.

Savannah is now old enough to play in the mall play area.  She had such a fun time walking and playing around the big kids.

At 1 year old, Savannah's new developments are:

~WALKING!!  She has the cutest wobble walk and she totally prefers walking over crawling now.

~saying "mama".  I don't think she is always referring to me but it still made me happy that she said it before "dada" :)

~favorite foods are peas, peanut butter, grapes, yogurt, ice cream, mac and cheese, cereal with milk, oatmeal, corn dogs, and bread.

~She went cold turkey and weaned herself off of nursing on Halloween night.  She never put up a fight and never turned back.  

~She is going through the terrible 2's a year early!  She now will throw a temper tantrum and drop to the floor while yelling/screaming.  She is definitely her Uncle Michael made over (ugh!!).  

~She is still biting but usually I'm the only one she goes to for that.  She has also started hitting but once again she goes to me.  

~I believe her molars have started to come in because the past couple of days have been brutal.  She has been one cranky little girl.  

Savannah's stats at 1 year:

Height: 29 1/2 inches (70th %)

Weight: 22 lbs and 7 oz (70th %)

Head Cir: 46 cm

Prissy girl attitude: 10 out of 10!!!!  

What an amazing year it has been!  I can't even begin to describe the overwhelming feelings that I've experienced since being a mother.  I have never been more proud of anything in my life as I am of Savannah Grace.  She is by far my greatest accomplishment and everyday she shows me just how lucky I am to be her mother.  As much as I dreaded my baby turning one, I am as equally excited to watch her grow in the upcoming years.  

A Weekend in SC

I'm a little delayed with blog postings due to Savannah's birthday week (postings for that to follow) so let me catch up by starting with our weekend in Greenville and Clemson, SC.  This was my first time back to my hometown in over 6 years and I couldn't believe how much it has changed.  We stayed downtown and drove into Clemson Saturday morning for the CU/NC State game.  It was such a fun day even though I was only able to watch the first quarter---Miss Savannah had just started walking so sitting in the stands for 3+ hours was not her idea of fun.  

Daddy and his girl

such a happy little tiger fan

our attempt at a family photo

the only time she sat still was while snacking

a quick pic with the Tiger Cub before heading out

After the game, we drove back to Greenville and I gave Oscar and Savannah a driving tour of Greenville.  This was Oscar's first time seeing my hometown and it was so fun to be able to show him the schools I attended, the house I lived in, and the places I frequented.  We then spent the evening having dinner and hanging out with our friends, the Merritts.  We had such a great time at their house and Savannah absolutely LOVED playing with all their toys.  She was able to walk a little bit before this night but being around the bigger kids gave her the motivation to show off her skills and walk from room to room.  

playing with Maguire

playing with Maclaine in the ballpit

Meredith and me with our babies

We had such a great weekend and I'm hoping that we'll be able to go back and visit sooner than another 6 years!

Halloween Weekend

This year we enjoyed our first Halloween as a family.  We had so much fun creating new traditions and sharing old ones with Savannah.  On Saturday we all went to the Pumpkin Party at Savannah's gym.  It was a bit crazy having so many kids around, most of which were bigger than Savannah, but I know she had a great time regardless.

she's so cute from behind

I see light at the end of the tunnel.

having so much fun!!

trying to push the big ball by herself

I'm sure I could dunk on this net.

Mom, I think we're supposed to eat these, not put them on that pumpkin.

my pretty little Tinkerbelle

almost parachute time

On Sunday after church, we went into Raleigh to go to their mall.  I couldn't believe that the mall was already totally decorated for Christmas!!  I mean, it was just now Halloween!  Call me old-fashioned but I prefer to keep my Christmas decorations in the attic until I finish my Thanksgiving lunch.  I remember when I was younger we would wake up early the day after Thanksgiving to go shopping and that was always the first sighting of anything Christmas related.  I really hate the commercialization of the holidays.  Anyways, I digress.....  

Back from church.  Is it costume time yet?

I love Halloween!

Peter Pan, Captain Hook and Tinkerbelle

Let's get this show on the road.

Seriously Dad, you're not going to wear those tights out in public are you?

First house gave out snickers--woohoo!!

trying to feed the jack-o-lantern her butterfinger

What a great holiday!

I know Savannah won't remember this Halloween but it's one Oscar and I will always think back to as a happy and fun-filled day.  I am so excited to get this holiday season underway!!!!  Next up---Savannah's birthday!

Fabulous Fall Weekend

I just LOVE this time of year---the cooler temperatures, the changing leaves, the wonderful smells!! And this weekend our little family had a super fun-filled fall weekend! On Saturday we went to a local pumpkin patch and saw some farm animals, picked some pumpkins, and went on a hay-ride.

Hay ride #1

definitely the cutest pumpkin in the patch

"This one looks good, Mom"

"Ewwww, I think I've got a piece of hay stuck you know where!"

our pumpkins to take home

our attempt at a family photo

checking out the pigs

now on to the goats

riding the John Deer with Dad

our little bunny meeting a real bunny

"look how big I'm getting!"

"Ewwwww, more hay!!"

Then on Sunday the country club held their annual Fall Carnival.  There wasn't much that the smallest members could take part in but we managed to have a fun time regardless.

Savannah's first time on a carnival ride.

I don't think she was too impressed

yep, definitely not impressed.

Hay ride #2

 Back at home we enjoyed a little bubble time because isn't any time a good time for bubbles :)