One year - Cheers!

Well folks, we made it through the first year!  Brett and I toasted on Maelin's birthday with pride that we made it and kept our baby alive.........thinking back to the day we brought Maelin home, we were not sure it was possible!  The first several weeks we just felt like idiots, not knowing why she was crying or what she needed.  I would like to thank youtube for having many helpful videos (how to install a car seat, how to bath your baby, what to do with a fussy baby, how to dress a baby, what to do with the umbilical cord stump, etc).  Also, many thanks to our friends and family with their great tips and advice (football hold, foods that start with P = poop, vics on feet, eucerin works on everything, etc). We are still no where close to knowing what we are doing but at least feel more comfortable with Maelin.

To celebrate the Bugs first year of life we had a little party at our house....I think Maelin had some fun but was clueless as to why so many people were in her house.  Her favorite guest was her teacher but she was kind of friendly to most others.

Maelin is a very cautious baby and everything in her life first needs to be analyzed before a decision is made to if it is liked or not.  The same process was carried through when she got her birthday cupcake. Unlike most babies, there was no smashing, in fact she didn't want to get her fingers dirty at all.

 Analyzing...

Still thinking....

 Ok it's good....

 MMMM, lovin it

We also were able to get all the cousins together for a quick shot and Maelin had a chance to open a few gifts before her bed time melt down.

 Cousins

 Nasty look as cousin Nathan helps her open a gift

Just to zoom in on how bitchy that face is.......

(we are in troubs when she is a teenager)

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY BUG, we made it......cheers to lots more years to come.

Leaving the hospital

A Year Later

First Kiss

Maelin recently transitioned into the"older" baby classroom.  We were anticipating a couple weeks of hell because she is SO sensitive and hates change (and isn't afraid to voice her opinion).  Surprisingly, things went fairly well.  There were only a couple rough days where she would scream at drop off but was able to relax after a couple minutes and get on with her day.

Today when we picked Maelin up from school we learned that she kissed a boy!  Her memorable moment read:

"Maelin kissed a boy today! He was (we think) trying to taste her flower on her shirt, but Maelin took it a different way and leaned in for a smooch!"

This is too funny and is one for the memory book.  Brett may be nervous for the years to come.

Aside from kissing boys, she has been busy painting, playing on the playground and of course, eating.

Painting, yikes!

 Playground fun

 Playground not so fun...

 Lots of fun new toys

Lunch time, enjoying her cheese stick