[ALL GONE]

This morning when I fixed Maeleigh her daily prune juice she was so excited to get it, as usual. Then when she was done with it she put it down, put hands out beside her with her palms facing up and said "all gone". It was so cute! It was the first time that she had said it. Then after she got done eating her waffle she said it again with her hands put to the side. I forgot that I hadn't posted 3 other important very smart things that she has been doing for a while. She says "hot hot" and points at things that are hot. Some things just amaze me that she does and how she knows that different things are hot. The things that she knows are hot are the stove, coffee maker, coffee mugs, the toaster and the microwave. She will also hold up one finger when you ask her how old she is. We taught her how to do that right before she turned one and she does it so good. Then after she does it she claps for herself. She also wipes her mouth off after she eats or drinks something. I know I have said it a million times but she is just so smart and I am so proud of her!! She is getting braver and taking more steps here and there, usually going from one piece of furniture to the next. I think she will be walking in no time! I also forgot that I haven't posted that she has 2 top teeth now. It is so cute when she smiles and shows off all of her 4 little teeth! I'm pretty sure that she is working on some more though because she still drools a lot. She also likes to ride Jett as well. She dies laughing while he walks around with her on his back. And she laughs when he gives her a big kiss right in the face. I have tried to let her color with her pretty crayons and coloring books that she got for her birthday but she doesn't really get it yet, she just tries to eat them and tear the pages so we will try that again later. I already said that she loves to ride on her riding toys but I think I forgot to mention that whenever she gets in her car or rides on her other toys she will wave bye bye and blow kisses as she rides away. It is so cute, its like she is telling you bye because she is leaving and going somewhere.

It is supposed to be pretty hot today so it looks like Maeleigh is going to get to go for a swim. She LOVES swimming in her pool. I cant wait until the big pool is warm enough for her, and me, to swim in. We hope everyone stays cool today with the 94* forecast!

[BORED BORED BORED]

Bored does not even begin describe how I feel. I have been confined to the recliner, except to go to the bathroom and the occasional trip to the kitchen when no one else is around, for a week now. I have seriously never been so bored in my life! However, I went to the doctor today for my post-op check up and everything was great! My post-op swelling is minimal, which is good, and I got my stitches out but I am still having some pain. As a result of this I have to stay on my crutches for 2 more weeks, 2 MORE WEEKS! I seriously don't know how people use these things for any extended period of time. I literally have bruises from them. But he did give me the go ahead to start walking more normal with them and actually putting most of my weight on my leg. But anyway, I'm sure that nobody really cares about all of this but I'm just so bored I needed something to do, you can only play on the internet and watch TV before you run out of things to look at and watch. I really need some new books...

Maeleigh is doing good, she is enjoying her new foods that she has been trying. She also loves her prune juice and gets very excited when she sees you fixing it. She is trying to walk more and more but she is still scared to just go by herself, she lunges for whoever is near her when she lets go. She has also been playing with her baby that she got for her birthday, she gives her love and kisses and feeds her her bottle. It is so sweet to watch her pretend like she is a little Mommy, giving her baby a bottle and then rocking her. She plays pretend so good already. Hopefully Nanna and Pape's pool will be warm soon and we can start going swimming (she gets bored sitting in the house after a while too). This means that she gets mad more often which in turn results in her biting herself. Still not sure if this is normal or not but I really hope that she stops doing it soon. He little arm looks pitiful after she does it :( 

Nothing to exciting but that's all for now :)

[MiSS PRiSS]

I think it is safe to say that "Miss Priss" is a very appropriate name for Maeleigh these days. I just have to brag on her a little bit :) She has to be the smartest newly 1 year old I have ever seen! She has learned and started doing so many new things just in the past week. She blows kisses and waves bye bye to everyone when they leave without have to be told to, she rocks her "babies" (which so absolutely loves), she gives her babies love (hugs) and kisses, and now when you tell her that you love her or she is just being sweet she does the sign for love (she learned it in her gym class), it is by far the SWEETEST thing I have EVER seen in my whole life! You just cant help but smile when she does it. So it has definitely been helping me feel better since I haven't been feeling to good at all the past 2 days. She has also taken a few steps!! She dies laughing while she does it because she knows that she is doing something new. Back to the name "Miss Priss", my 1 year old talks back to/fusses at me. When she is doing something she is not supposed to be she says "Anh anh!" (not sure how you spell that) while she is doing it. She also says it back at me when I tell her "no". And earlier she was standing up in her chair and I told her "no no" and to sit down and I'm pretty sure she said "bad" to me. MiMi heard her so I have a witness. haha. However, I'm not sure if she was telling me that I was bad or if she was saying what she was doing was bad. Either way it was hard not to laugh because it was so funny and out of the blue even though I know it is very bad to laugh when she does something bad. But I'm pretty good about keeping a straight face when I am telling her not to do something. She loves playing with all of her new toys that she got for her birthday. She is doing 100% better with trying to walk now that she has her push toys and not just a walker. She pushes them all over the house, and she goes pretty fast sometimes too. She also likes to give her babies a ride on her toys. She loves to "read" her new book as well. She also points at things that she wants, she has been doing this for a few months now I just cant remember if I ever said anything about it. MiMi says that she is bossy, the way she points and says "uh uh". Its cute though, right now. haha. She has also started biting herself on the arm when something makes her mad, I have no idea why she has started doing this but I really wish she would stop because it leaves all these little red marks on her arm and wrist from her little teeth. She also enjoys sharing her snacks with Jett and Bullet and I'm pretty sure that they enjoy it too. She will give then one and they will take it out of her hand and then she laughs, eats one and then gives them another. I think it is so sweet that she already shares so well. And last but not least yesterday she started doing what we call the "crab walk". It is so cute and she does it all over the house. I think I got everything new that she is doing, if not I will put it in the next post. It is just so hard to remember everything!

Maeleigh has been doing good drinking her whole milk. I wasn't sure how it would agree with her tummy since she could never have milk based formula because it would make her spit up but she has been fine. We are also trying to get her to eat more new foods because all of the milk she has been drinking has been causing problems with her going to the potty. She I have to start giving her prune juice and Miralax everyday and cutting her milk back to only 1 cup a day and then she just drinks regular juice the rest of the day. Her doctor said to work her back up to the full amount of milk so that her tummy and everything can adjust to it gradually. So we are trying to get her to eat more foods that are high in fiber. So far it is going pretty good, she has just been eating whatever MiMi has around the house since I haven't been able to go to the grocery to get her some new stuff to try, but hopefully I will feel better and be able to go tomorrow so we can get her started getting better by her diet and be able to cut out the Miralax before to long. However, the Miralax is not habit forming so I am okay with her being on it even if it is for a little while and I completely trust her pediatrician. If you know me you know that I am really weird about giving Maeleigh medicine, I say its because I know to much about it haha, but like I said, if her pediatrician says she needs it then I will give it to her, because she is the same way I am with giving her medications. 

I want to start doing some different learning activities with Maeleigh because she is so smart and learns things so fast. So that is my plan to start this summer, I just have to find some good activities/websites that have good activities for 1 year olds, so if anybody has any they want to share I would greatly appreciate it. We are also going to start potty training soon, I just have to get her a potty and we are doing it!! I know people will probably think I am crazy for starting so early but Maeleigh's pediatrician said to go ahead and start so I am. The sooner we are diaper free the better! 

MiMi, Pappy, Uncle Thomas, Nanna, Pape and Laura have all been trying to keep Miss Priss occupied since I cant do anything. She has had lots of playtime, stroller rides and rides in her car that she got for her birthday both in the house and outside. I feel so bad that I cant take care of her but I am SO thankful that I have such a wonderful family that is willing to help me out so much. I don't know anyone else that would take care of a 1 year old and a 25 year old. haha. Chaz has been working very long hours because is has been so hot so we haven't got to see him much. That is another reason that I am so thankful for my amazing family, so that Chaz didn't have to take off work to take care of us. Since I don't work (which is another thing that I am very thankful for) he obviously has to work for us to be able to live. 

But anyway, I am about to attempt to go sot outside while Maeleigh plays in her pool. I hope that everyone has a wonderful and safe Memorial Day! And don't forget to stop and take a second to remember and thank those who fought and are fighting for our country!

Oh and my project for tonight is to get my Shutterfly share site up and going so that I can share all of Maeleigh's pictures. :)

[MAELEiGH DENiSE iS 1!!]

This time 1 year ago I had a 7lb.10oz. 20 1/2in. long precious baby girl, I now have a 19lb.1oz. 30 1/2in. long big girl! I still cant believe that my little sweet pea is 1!! This has been the best year of my life so far but I have no doubt that each year will only get better and better. Maeleigh had an AMAZING birthday party!! It was exactly what I wanted and I'm pretty sure that she had a great time too! We has almost all of our whole family and almost all of our good friends here to help us celebrate Maeleigh's special day. She got TONS go great presents and she loves all of them very much. She was so cute opening all of them and making sure that she gave every single one some love, there were even some cards and wrapping paper that she gave love. She is just so sweet and gives love to everything! She also very  much enjoyed her birthday cake! She had so much fun playing in and eating her cake, it was very obvious by her hands and face. haha. We are so thankful for everyone that was able to come and celebrate with us! And I just want to say thank you to everyone one more time. 

Just a quick update about me, I had my surgery this past Wednesday. Everything went well and I am starting my recovery now. It will probably take a good 8 weeks before I am able to do everything by myself again. I am just so thankful for all of family (that includes you Laura :) ) that has been helping me and Maeleigh and will continue to do so. And I also want to say thank you to everyone that has been praying for me, it really means a lot.

I guess that's all for now. Sorry this wasn't long, I'm just still very tired and don't have a lot of energy. I will do a better update when I am feeling a little better. I'm working on setting up a share page on Shutterfly to share pictures since I am really bad about putting them on here. 

[QUiCK CATCH-UP]

I'm just going to do a quick catch up because for one, I have a ton of stuff to do and two, I'm very tired and would LOVE to get in the bed a little early and get a good night sleep. So here it is...

Maeleigh now smacks when she blows kisses and some she just smacks to give you kisses without actually blowing them. She is standing up by herself a lot more and it getting really good at it. She LOVES to feed herself these days and always has to have her own fork or spoon. She also likes to put her food in her lap and eat paper. haha. 

Today was Maeleigh's last gym class for the season and they had a little awards ceremony. Maeleigh got her first medal for all of her accomplishments this season and she is soooo proud of it! It is so cute how she holds it and shows it to people. I am so proud of my little sweet pea! She is so smart! She had another really good day in gym class today though, crawling all around and squealing like she did this week. And she even let Mr. Paul help her swing around the bar and she usually cries! Me, MiMi, Mr. Paul and everyone else in the class was so proud of her for doing so good and not crying! I just LOVE taking her to the gym and I know that she loves it too. 

Our beach trip with MiMi and Nanna was soooo much fun!! We decided that we are going to make it a tradition and we are going to do it every year. The weather could not have been more perfect! It only rained, well poured, one time and it was in the evening so it didn't really matter. I wasn't sure how Maeleigh would like the beach, I thought that she might be afraid of the water. Needless to say she was not scared the least little bit! She would crawl all around in the tidal pools and even tried to crawl out in the ocean! It was so funny! She absolutely loved everything about the beach! She also had a little bit of sand to eat, which she tried to hide from me as she had her back to me and was eating it out of her bucket. She also liked playing in the kiddie pool and loved the breakfast at the hotel. We also went to lost of good restaurants, went shopping, went to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and went to St. Simons Island too. Maeleigh also came home with the best tan out of all of us even though I put sun block on her every 20 minutes, she has her Daddy's skin (thank goodness!). haha.

But anyway...I guess that's all for now. I just wanted to catch up on all of the big stuff before I forgot it, but I'm sure that I forgot some stuff anyway. The big day is only 4 days away now! So needless to say I am going crazy trying to get everything done! I will catch up on her birthday and everything else at the beginning to the week. Oh and I almost forgot, I am having my knee surgery next Wednesday the 23, I go for my pre-op on Monday. So please keep me in your thoughts and prayers next week. Oh and one more thing, I asked everyone to pray for my Mamma and I just wanted to let everyone know that her tests came back perfectly normal! God is good!! Ok I'm done now :) We hope everyone has a great weekend!!

[FUN & NOT SO FUN]

We got some fun and not so fun news in the past few days. We will share the fun news first :) We are going to the beach next Wednesday!! Me, Maeleigh, MiMi and Nanna are taking a girls trip to Jekyll Island for 4 days. I am so excited!! I cant wait to see what Maeleigh thinks about the beach this year. When we went last year she was only 4 months old so she enjoyed it as much as a 4 month old could. She really likes getting in the pool though and the hotel we  are staying in has 2 big pools and a kiddie pool so I'm sure we will have lots of fun in the pool. And I have a feeling there will be some sand eating going on too, it happens :) haha. So we are super excited about that and cant wait to get down there! 

The not so fun news is that I am going to have to have knee surgery, again, for the 3rd time. Hopefully, fingers crossed, this will be the last one. I go for a MRI tomorrow and then I go Tuesday to go over everything and schedule my surgery. I am hopefully going to be able to get it done the week after Maeleigh's birthday so that I can get it over with and recover from it before the end of the summer so me, Chaz and Maeleigh can go to the beach for our family vacation. So all thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated because Dr. Robinson said that this knee is worse than my other one which means the surgery will probably be worse because there are more problems and the recovery time will be longer. The second surgery that I had on my right knee (the one that actually fixed it) took me about 2 months or so to get to where I could do normal activities and about a month or so more of physical therapy. So since my left knee is worse, recovery will be longer. Luckily I have the BEST Mamma EVER to take care of me and Maeleigh. Have I ever said how much I love her?! :) Because its A LOT! In case you didn't know :) She is my best friend and I have no idea what I would do without her. While I am talking about my amazing Mamma I just want to ask for thoughts and prayers for her too. She goes Tuesday for a cyst aspirations so pray that everything comes back normal, even though I have faith in God and I believe in my heart that everything is going to come back completely normal.

Anyway...enough about me, lets talk about my little sweet pea and the new things that she is doing just since my last post. One thing that she used to do when she was a little smaller and has started doing again is whistling. She just whistles away while she plays! It is the cutest thing EVER! It also absolutely amazes her Uncle Thomas. She is also blowing kisses now (I cant remember if I already said that or not), it is the sweetest this EVER! Aside from her hugs, kisses and love :) She also makes the indian noise, that's what we call it, where you pat your hand on your mouth while you say "Ahhhh". She has started trying to feed herself with a fork and spoon. It gets a little messy but that's okay. She has also started trying to push and walk (with help) behind her little toy stroller, which is really exciting! She also had a really good day in her gym class this week. She was very outgoing, playful and vocal. This is a big change from last week which was her first week in her new class, I think she was feeling a little afraid at first because last week she didn't want me to put her down. But then this week she didn't want to be held! She did the climbing challenge GREAT! As well as everything else she did. I have also started giving her milk so that she can get used to it. So far she doesn't really like it that much but she is starting to do better with it because we act excited and crazy when she drinks some so she keeps doing it. But for right now that's all I can remember, she does so  much these days I forget things sometimes.

I have been busy working on birthday decorations as usual these days. Invitations are in the mail so be on the look out for them :) Her birthday is in only16 days now!! I just still cant believe she is going to be 1 so soon! Where has the time gone...