11th--12th Month Update

I can't believe my little baby is 1!!! It has been amazing watching the transformation from baby to little person. Even though she is still tiny (less than the 5th percentile in weight and the 20th percentile in height), recently several people have thought she was older based on her personality. Her energy and excitement is such a joy to be around; however, it keeps me on my toes :)

Tori is now walking, rather quickly. The other day I was switching out the laundry and she was around the corner playing. I hear loud squealing and went to go to see what she has gotten into and found her bedroom door closed with her on the other side laughing. Boy am I in trouble :) Her other favorite game is peek-a-boo. She uses anything around that she can hide behind...bib, wash cloth, blanket, clothes, etc. Some of Tori's other achievements this month are learning to clap and saying bye bye as "bysh bysh." She might have said "thank you" (I say this to her all the time as I take whatever tiny object she has discovered on the floor :) ), and she also seemed to repeat Daddy in saying "beer" :) Again... boy are we in trouble :)

Here are some pictures from her 11th month!!! Daddy and Tori shopping at Buy Buy Baby :)

Tori celebrating St. Patrick's Day



Gramps and Tori watching ducks at the park in Hickory.

Tori practicing her walking in her first pair of shoes

Tori's favorite part of the park was definitely the swings. She wore a constant smile.

Grandma and Poppi's visit:

Tori opening her Easter surprise. She eventually pulls out a bunny about her size :)

The whole family.

Tori at Freedom Park in the same outfit. Apparently that is her park outfit:)

Picnic lunch at the park!

Happy swinging baby!

Tori helping Mommy get ready for the car show.

Peek a boo :)

Happy baby playing on the stairs.

A worn out baby after a fun day at the car show.

Tori at her 1st baby birthday party. I promise she has other outfits :)

Madelyn playing with Tori once we got back from the party :)

Tori's birthday azaleas pictures.

Tori and Daddy by our new dogwood tree :)

Tori plopped down by the plum tree :)

10th--11th Month Update

In Tori's 10th month, she started talking a lot more. She now says "ba" for ball, "bebe" for baby, and "do" for dog (she pointed to Soco as she said it, but that one has not been repeated). She does not say "mama" and "dada" as often as I expected, but we finally decided to accept her "mum, ma, mama, or mom" and her "da or dada"to us as saying mommy and daddy with understanding. Although her favorite sound is still "ba, ba, ba" she is branching out and her babbling is starting to sound a lot more like real talking. She also took 3 steps and can stand on her own for at least 10 minutes this month. She now has 12 teeth fully through and has been teething on her cuspids (beside the molars) all month with no sign of teeth. I finally broke down and gave her some Tylenol and Advil to help the pain (and hopefully let her and me sleep :), but it was not very effective. The Advil helped the swelling, but upset her stomache. Despite the teething, she has been a lot of fun and giggles at everything. It is the best sound ever :) Here are some pictures of her 10th month!!! Felipe visiting with Tori before he and Matt go to Myrtle Beach for a golfing trip!

Gramps balancing Tori. She loves being up high just like her mommy :)

Tori dancing to Gramps singing :)

Tori riding her tricycle. We made a safety belt out of a long scarf. She thought it was awesome and she was tired after a walk around the whole neighborhood!!!

Tori and her walker. She loves being able to get around faster.

Tori still loves her swing, but now she leans forward in it and sits up. Time for a real swing :)

Tori trying out a park swing with Mommy. She was a big fan!

Tori swinging with Daddy.

9-10 Month Update

Toria had a busy 9th month! She got to meet her Great Unkee Don and Aunt Shirley, friends Honey and Jeff, and visit with her Grandma and Poppi. During Toria's 9th month, she learned how to climb the stairs (she now climbs then 4 times or as many as I let her), open all of the cabinets, and continues to get into everything :) She can walk behind a walker and pushes one of my exercise balls, but does not want to walk without something to hold onto and does not like to be helped to walk (she hates having her hands held). She started eating Cheerios and loves them. She also loves dropping them over the side for Soco :) At the end of the month, she said her first word....hi. She sometimes does it with the wave. Here are some pictures from her 9th month :)



Great Unkee Don talking to Toria.
It was fun to watch him with Toria, because his interactions were so similar to Gramps :)

Gram pushing Toria around thier house. I love the wave :)

Toria in deep concentration as she destroys the tower village Great Unkee Don built.

Destruction almost compleete.

Gramps, Toria, and Great Unkee Don.Aunt Shirley giving Toria a hug :)

Toria staying abreast on the Hollywood scene via US Weekly. Thanks Amanda :)

Toria absolutely loved taking a walk on the trail in the backpack. She just giggled and giggled.

A very happy Toria with Jeff :)

Ta Da!!!

HAPPY VALENTINES!!!

Grandma playing with Toria.

Poppi taking Toria for a ride :)

Grandma holding a forever teething Tori. Her bottom molars finally broke through at the beginning of her 9th month and then she started teething again on the next set of teeth at the end of the month. After this set....only the 2nd year molars left !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Walk time :)

Daddy and Poppi playing some Beatles Rock Band.Birthday Daddy blowing out his candles.

Happy Birthday :)

8-9th month update

Here is the (as usual) much delayed update :) During the 8th month, Toria (her newest nickname) began standing by herself and took her first step. She has started waving bye-bye, drinking water from a cup, and using a spoon with a little guidance. She is a very active little girl and keeps me very busy chasing after her :) I am really enjoying this age :)





Toria got to enjoy her second snow at our house. She liked the snow, but not the snowsuit :)

Toria and I sledding down the driveway :)

Toria showing off her daddy girl ballerina outfit that Gramps could not pass up.

Gram and Gramps feeding Toria :)

Toria's next door neighbor friend, Madelyn, came over to help. Toria just loves Madelyn. Look at Toria's poor drool rashed and carrot dyed face :)

Love the Alfalfa curl :)

Ahhh...Toria and her daddy.

Surrounded by her toys :)
The snorting, drooling Toria. One of my favorite faces :)

Toria loves looking out the window....she and Soco :)