Happy FIRST BIRTHDAY Macie!!!!

After my haircut Mom took Macie and I to open gym where I got to spend time playing around with my friend Kiera. While I was jumping, twirling, running, and flipping, Mom and Miss Lindsey (Kiera's Mom) watched as Macie practiced taking steps. Within 20 minutes Macie was linking steps together!

By the end of Open Gym Macie became an official walker!!!

Dad came home from Indy late that night and was super excited that Macie was on the move. First thing in the morning Macie showed off her new set of wheels to Dad:

Macie was a little wobbly (she was probably tired from all the walking the night before), but managed to link some steps together and Dad was sure proud! We spent Saturday indoors (the morning was rainy) playing around with our family.

Now that Macie is on the move it is MUCH MORE FUN to play with her!!! We laugh, dance, run, and sing. Speaking of singing, I am developing quite the singing voice. Listen to my mad vocal skills as I sing "Macie's song" (since Macie was a baby Dad has lovingly called her "the fatness", and for some bizarre reason both Mom and Dad were reminded of a song from back in the day called "No Diggity." Dad used to sing it to her) it goes a little something like this...

The sky cleared up in the afternoon, and Macie and I played some indoor/outdoor games, one of our favorites involving laughing at one another through the sliding glass door. Macie thinks I am super funny; can you blame her?!?!?!

Dad's final weekend in Ohio was fun-filled, including trips to all our favorite spots; the Zoo, the pirate ship park, etc.

When the week began Mom took me to see the Dentist. This was try number two and we have been working up my courage over the last 6 months. I am glad to report that I was super brave and my trip was a success.


On Wednesday it was MACIE'S FIRST BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!

We woke her up with a rendition of the birthday song, and Mom made her some special birthday eggs (one of Macie's favorite breakfast meals).



Mom dressed Macie and I up in our special birthday tutu's and Macie got a taste of what her wardrobe will largely consist of from now on...



Dressed to impress we met up with the Grzelaks for some jumping fun.


Macie was a little too small for the jumpers, but she sure enjoyed climbing up and down everything.


While Riley, Ashlyn, and I slid, climbed, and ran


Mace played with hula hoops and bouncy balls, which kept her more than occupied.


Naps were a necessity after all the morning's excitement, but after we charged our batteries we met Miss Elizabeth and all the Grzelak kids at Chuck E Cheese to have an official birthday celebration for Macie!!


I have to say, all three of us girls were the hit of Chuck E Cheese in our matching outfits!!!



Macie and I had a blast playing games that involved hitting, pushing, or noise making, and Macie just couldn't get enough!



Long after I grew bored Macie continued to play, and Mom had a hard time luring her away.


When she finally showed interest in a driving game Mom got excited.


She thought that Macie would enjoy riding in an actual car, especially one with Chucky, so she gave it a try.


Mom was dead wrong as Macie whined the WHOLE ride (which lasted about 30 seconds).

All the excitement made Macie hungry, so the rest of us played while Macie snacked on some crudites and other finger foods from the salad bar.



Despite all the fun going on around him, Aidan made sure to keep Macie company so that she wouldn't feel left out (He is such a sweet and considerate young man, and one of Macie's FAVORITE people!)

Macie got a second wind, and let us know it was time for more fun.


Here she is walking around Chuck E Cheese (and doing a pretty darn good job considering she began walking less than 5 days prior.)





While Macie strolled around the fun zone I rode on the roller coaster with my hands up in the air just like the big kids!



Macie found the climber and slide and spent lots of time crawling up the stairs (obsessed) and banging on the glass.



Miss Elizabeth helped her slide down the slide and Macie couldn't have been happier.



Aunt Hayley showed up right as the Pizza was ready (I think she planned that), and all of us sat down for Macie's birthday feast.



Without a moment's hesitation Macie dove in face first for a big bite. Who needs a fork anyway...


Mom though Macie's feeding technique was quite comical and couldn't stop snapping pictures.



When the pizza was finished we played around and tried to work up an appetite for birthday cake. Macie rode the big clock swing (which she didn't enjoy),


Ashlyn, Riley, and I ran in and out of the giant climbers,



and right before the cake came I rode the big kid bike, which I am FINALLY big enough to pedal (sort of)...





Back at the table Chuck E Cheese brought out Macie's chocolate cake and said some hello's before the singing began.


I think Macie was a little too overwhelmed with everything going on around her, but we managed to make it through the birthday song before the major catastrophe (watch as Macie grabs the candle to put out he flame).





The flame didn't burn her, but the experience sure frightened her. It wasn't until she had cake in front of her that the tears stopped.


The birthday cake was SO GOOD, and I dove right in.


I couldn't figure out why Mom kept taking pictures of me eating cake and started to get irritated.


Macie didn't seem to mind all the pictures, she was more focused on getting cake in her mouth.


Hayley and Macie laughed at one another as they scarfed down their food (they really are two peas in a pod).


We are SO proud of Macie for all her amazing accomplishments and hope she knows how much proud we are of our little ONE YEAR OLD!!!!!!!!!!

A couple days later we ended Macie's birthday week with a trip to the doctor to see just how big she had gotten. Can you believe that she is 30 inches tall (75th percentile) and weighs 2 0.4 pounds(45th percentile). The doctor was very impressed with Macie's growth both physically and mentally. We aren't surprised by her growth; she eats just about anything but is particular to eggs, berries, cottage cheese, potatoes, and MEAT! Her vocabulary is growing and she can say quite a few words. Her favorites are "up", "hello", and "dada", but she is starting to link words together and her favorite saying is "hello jax."

Macie has been an amazing addition to our family, and we can't imagine our lives without her!

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY MACIE, keep up the good work!!!!!

(we put up this pic of Mace at the pool because it is the funniest thing ever; she looks like she has a budonka-donk butt courtesy of that heavy wet diaper!!!)

BIG NEWS... We're Headin' Back to the West...

We spent our first week home celebrating my birthday (parties, outings, etc.), but the following week life returned to normal until Dad cam home with some BIG news. He was offered a new job with Lifetime Fitness and told us we were going to be moving to Scottsdale, Arizona. Many emotions went through my head, excitement to be moving closer to home, but sadness that I would be leaving all my new friends in Ohio (a place we have grown to LOVE). Dad will be leaving Ohio at the end of the month to start his new job and find us a house, and we will join him in October. Until then we will be making sure to spend plenty of time with our friends at all of favorite places.

Around the house life got a little hectic as Mom began to pack up all the items Dad would need to take with him to Arizona. With time of the essence Mom decided to conserve by having Macie and I take baths together. Macie thinks my antics are hilarious, and I love to show her how much fun we can have in the water.

I showed her how I wash my own hair,

and even took the liberty of washing her hair.

Mom was not impressed by my "help" with the hair washing, so recently we have been taking separate baths (I don't really mind because it means I get to stay awake later!) and Mom has just come to terms with the fact that no matter what, there will NEVER be enough time.

On rainy days when we were stuck in the house this month Mace and I occupied ourselves by playing with one another. She really looks up to me (literally; but Mom assures me that's only temporary), and tries to imitate everything I do. Here I am showing her how to spit into the glass and make noises:


When indoor games were no longer sufficient we went over to the Big Red Barn for some all out fun!

Check out Macie as she jumps on the trampoline...

Although she enjoys jumping, the swings still top her list of favorite things to do. I have decided that I like pushing Macie more than I like swinging myself (mainly because I get to "push" her without getting yelled at).

Macie has been working on walking and can do pretty well when she has support. Watch as our friend Caroline helps her...

Not only is Macie working on her walking skills, but her speaking skills are improving as well. Listen as we practice her favorite words:

When the weekend rolled around Aunt Hayley's boyfriend John came down for a visit and all of us went out to see Bugs before he moved to a new stable. Bugs' health has been improving a ton and he is finally "rideable," so Aunt Hayley saddled him up and I took him for a walk.

It was a ton of fun, and we even took him into the ring to gallop.

I was super brave and everyone was really proud of how well I handled myself.

The following day Mom and Dad surprised Macie and I by taking the family on a special trip to the fair. Walking in I could hardly contain my excitement as there were thrills everywhere I looked; from food and rides, to animals and entertainment.

Even Macie seemed to be excited by the surroundings.



One of the first rides I "just HAD to go on" was the big trampoline. I couldn't believe that I was finally big enough to go considering I have been turned away over three times in the past.



While I was having fun jumping up and down Macie and Dad enjoyed an elephant ear (Macie's first taste of fair food).



The carnies let me stay on the trampoline a little longer than normal since everyone had such a great time watching me jump- apparently I was quite the entertainment.





Macie got bored and started a dance party in her stroller.

After eating some roasted corn, chips, and taking some pictures, Dad and I rode on the fair chair lift.

The view from above was awesome as Dad and I waved down to Mom and Macie below.



Dinner at the fair was rather disappointing; our fries were drenched in lardy grease and the burger Mom and I got to share couldn't even contend with one from McDonald's (which isn't hard to do).

The food left us feeling lethargic so Mom rested at a table while Macie practiced taking steps.

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When our food finally settled in our stomachs it was time for more rides!!


Although there was tough competition the Frog Hopper was my absolute favorite!!!



As bedtime rapidly approached Macie started to get cranky. To cheer her up Dad took her to the petting Zoo while Mom and I took a ride on the giant slide.

The animals cheered Macie up a little, so her and Dad spent the rest of their time feeding them.


I arrived just as they were getting ready to leave, but got to feed a deer so that I wouldn't feel left out.



We had such a great time at the fair, and I can't wait to go back again!

The following week we spent our days enjoying different Columbus attractions with our friends. We went to the Zoo like 5 times, and I made sure to ride the train, carousel, boat, and pony!

In the past Macie has enjoyed seeing the fish and the birds, but recently she has shown interest in the turtles.


Listen to the excitement in her voice.

When Mom's birthday rolled around we celebrated at a water park and got to eat some cupcakes, I obviously enjoyed the chocolate.



By the time we arrived back at home for Mom's party Macie was already in a sugar coma, so she sat in the grass and watched quietly as Mom, Dad, Aunt Hayley and I took turns hitting the pirate pinata full of all Mom's favorite chocolates.



Since we have one month left to take advantage of all the attractions that Columbus has to offer, we have been going everywhere. We met my friend Kiera from gymnastics at Zoombeezi Bay and got to splash around in the water and ride the big water slides.

I loved swimming around in the water and floating in the lazy river- even Macie enjoyed it!

A couple days later Kiera and I went to the Zoo- I love going places with friends!

After all the fun I had at princess camp Mom thought I would enjoy another week of camp so we signed up for Cats and Dogs camp. We were bummed to discover that I was the only kid signed up and therefore it was canceled. I had really been looking forward to going back to camp and was disappointed until Mom found out that Lifetime had a Day Camp. We immediately signed up and it was a blast- we did crafts, played with face paint, ran around with friends- I had such a great time that I get to go twice a week until Labor day!

Here I am after on my way to the pool at the County club after a morning at camp- check out my Dalmatian face paint!!!

We always have a great time at the pool with the Grzelaks,

seeing them swim in the water encourages me to get better.

Macie doesn't always like to get in the water, but loves to hang out with her best buddy Aidan.

When all the kids are in the water Macie entertains herself with food!

Since we are moving to Arizona, where EVERY house has a pool in the backyard, Mom decided it was imperative that I learn to swim ASAP. I have been improving my water skills and no longer fear the water. Check me out as I jump to Ian my swim instructor:

From now on I will be taking private lessons and am SUPER excited to learn without distraction.

When the weekend came we decided to take a family trip to the Zoo before Dad left. I was sure glad we did because they had all sorts of animals out for us to pet.


Macie enjoyed the trip to the Zoo for a while, but it was hot and sticky so she started to get cranky.


Her attitude improved when we went to the petting Zoo,



but took a turn for the worse as the hot sun made her overheat. Check out her awesome hair courtesy of sweat!



Although we didn't stay at the Zoo too long, our family enjoyed spending time together over the weekend.

I got to go to camp again the following week, and couldn't have been more excited to play!


I was on my best behavior, and one of the best listeners in class!!!

Our week was filled with trips to parks and other unimportant places, but we ended the week with a trip to the beauty shop for my first BIG GIRL HAIRCUT!!!

Mom was very proud of me for being so brave!!


I sat very still as she cut 2 inches off my hair and then styled it with a straightener. I think I looked pretty darn good!!

So good in fact, that I couldn't stop checking my self out in the mirror.


After my haircut we went to a park and I couldn't stop smiling, I just felt pretty!!!


Macie and I discovered that sliding down a slide together can be tons of fun,


and Macie has learned how to climb on the climber (not surprising since she is super fast and efficient at going up stairs).


Mom couldn't help but laugh as the two of us climbed next to one another. It is amazing how quickly time has flown by, and how much Macie has grown in the last year.


In a couple days we will celebrate Macie's first birthday, and I can't wait to see what fun is in store for our family.