1st Birthday

Since Tori's birthday was on Good Friday this year, she got two birthday celebrations. The first one (on her actual birthday) was in Hickory at Gram and Gramps. Our little ham put on a very nice show and seemed to have a blast being the center of attention.

Hickory Birthday Pictures :)

Tori in her birthday bib.

Pat helping Tori show off her new dress.

Toria loved her peek a boo card. It was just the best toy :)

We decided to have Tori on the table. She made a great centerpiece :)

Tori and Mommy blowing out her candle. She had a yummy coconut cream cake.

Waiting patiently for her slice of cake.

Since Tori's main form of blowing is spitting rasberries, we gave her a second chance to blow out a candle on just her slice.

Yum, yum!

Present time :)

Tissue paper is the best!

Gram and Gramps gave Tori a rocking horse.

I think the rocking horse is going to be a favorite :)

Party # 2 at home.

Daddy blowing up the swimming pool with the bike pump since the automatic one had to charge.

The bib reappears.

Tori opening her mound of gifts!

Madelyn and Tori in her new birthday bib.

Madelyn helping Tori open her new swing!!!

Tori in her brand new giraffe pool!

The party moved inside for some ice cream cake or cup cakes.

Tori and Madelyn blowing out her birthday cake.

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.