The Loddes: Perry is ONE!

Happy birthday, Perry Frances!!!!

Weight: 22 lbs. 8 oz. (85%)
Height: 31.75 in. (99%)
Head: 19 in. (99%)

TWELVE MONTHS. They said it would go fast. Boy, were they right! It wasn't always easy, but it was easily the BEST year of our lives! We did it!! She amazes me every single day and teaches me so much about life. If only we could all be more like children - the joy, wonder, and innocence of their hearts is beautiful and magical!

Putting my 11-month-old to bed for the last time...

Perry woke up to balloons in her crib. She had so much fun playing with them for a whole ten minutes - that's like 10 hours in baby time! :)

John was out of town the week leading up to her birthday, so my mom and dad spent the night with us on Thursday night. My dad went to work, and my mom and I took Perry to the zoo! It was HOT, and we got caught in the middle of a random downpour, but despite those circumstances, we had a great time! Perry liked the carousel the best. We also fed the giraffes, pet some goats, and saw a few animals before heading home.

John came home during her nap. She was so happy to be reunited with daddy!

Perry opened her presents from us - musical instruments, a black stuffed puppy (like her favorite dog, Jack), and a wagon! I think she liked them. Then we went on a family wagon ride around the street. She brought her giraffe that Mumsie bought her at the zoo that morning!

John, Perry, and I went to Lupe Tortilla for her birthday dinner!

This month was HUGE developmentally for Perry! Here are some things about our birthday girl at ONE YEAR:

She is standing and walking now! She took her first steps a month and a half ago, but she just became (what I would consider) an official walker the day before her first birthday. She's gotten so much more confidence!
She is comprehending SO much more all of a sudden! Her brain is like a sponge right now! It seems like it happened overnight and is amazing to watch. For example, if I say "get your baby and put her in the bed", she (usually) will look around for her baby and do exactly what I asked. Another example is that she found a hair bow sitting on the side table, and she grabbed it and tried to stick it on her head.
She loves music right now! When she hears music, she will start waving her arms up in the air and bouncing!
She points at everything and says "da", which we think means "that".
She is trying to put things back where they go. For example, she will put the different shapes back in her toys and puzzle pieces back in the puzzle. She obviously doesn't get it in every time, but she is starting to try and figure it out!
When I say "give your baby/puppy/whatever a hug", she will hug it to her chest, cock her head to the side, and try saying "awwww" (because that's what I say). It sounds more like a whine, but I know what she's trying to do. :)
She still has three bottles a day, but we will probably go down to two bottles until our frozen stash runs out, at which time we will switch her to whole milk in a sippy cup.
She has become a picky eater. She changes her mind on what she likes every day/meal. The things she will never turn down are strawberries, bananas, cheese, and bread/pasta. Everything else is a wild card.