I remember when we first moved in and renovated our home, our fridge was this drab, sterile piece of stainless steel in our kitchen. We slowly added pictures and mementos that have captured our journey and growth through the years. I look at it today and it's filled with Christmas cards, invitations, pictures of some of the best moments of our lives. I get a kick out of holding Kylie in front of them and pointing out grandma and grandpa, aunties and cousin Zac and our friends children. She seems to love it too. Not realizing that many of the "babies" in the photos are actually pictures of herself. It's a freeze frame of everything and everyone that is important to us. It means so much to have that in our home.

Grandparents

I must admit, I get jealous of how much Kylie loves my mother in law. We spend an equal amount of time with her I would say but she has such a fondness for her. She loves my mom too, but because she doesn't see her as often as MIL, she takes a little time to warm up to her. But once she does, she doesn't want to let my mom out of her sight. Sometimes I think I need to take back some of the time she spends with MIL, because I want to be her number 1. But then I think it's so silly of me to think that way. I remember a time in my childhood when I was literally obsessed with my grandfather. I still love him so dearly today and he's 16 years gone from us. I think at the height of it, I would have easily chosen my grandpa over my parents. So I can understand how natural it is for a child to love their grandparents so much. Grandparents are here to shower their grandchildren with love, affection, attention. They make her feel as if she is the only thing in this world, the only one in their eyes. She can do no wrong. Parents are the uncool ones who get stuck with the responsibilities of making sure they get their protein in every meal, get their manners in check, sleep at a certain time, not to hold them too much so not to spoil them. Grandparents get to feed them their favorite food group, junk food. They get to pick them up and carry them horse back riding style. Which kid would not love that?

13.5 months

It's hard to believe that my baby is 13 months. On one hand it seemed to have gone by in a flash. On the other, she seems to be 13 months going on 3 years old. She seems to operate at such a level that is hard to believe. I know the difference because I have had so many friends who have kids around the same age as her. She picks up on things very quickly. She knows socks and shoes go on her feet, she tries to put her arms through the sleeves of her jackets and vests. She obviously lacks the motor skills to complete it. She knows how to open doors now. She knows who is who when you call them by their names, she will point to them. She puts real keys to her Fisher Price Fun house door and tries to unlock it. She just does something new everyday that completely catches us offguard.

Organic

I don't know why I didn't think of it earlier. But I've always tried to give her organic whenever possible and whenever it was recommended. But when I started her on whole milk, I didn't. A few weeks ago, we put her on organic milk and it has made such a difference on her constipation. She still gets harder stools, but it's become more manageable. I've always began to put her on the Baby Bjorn toilet seat to do her business and she's taken to it pretty well. I'm not completely ready to potty train her yet, she's still only 13.5 months old, but I'm trying to get her used to the idea of not pooping in her diaper. She actually hasn't pooped in her diaper for a few weeks now. This summer we will hardcore potty train. My mom had all four of us potty trained before 16 months. My goal is before 18 months.

Walking

I've never had to worry much about Kylie since she was a baby. She never really got sick. Though she did catch Roseola a few weeks ago. It was amazing how classic the symptoms were. Sudden high fevers that wouldn't break for 3 days, but generally she did not act sick at all. She was still eating and playing. We were just trying to keep her cool to keep the fever from spiking even further. Then on the 4th day, it went away and by the afternoon her body was covered in little red bumps. About 3 days later, it went away completely. I went off topic, but since she's been walking we noticed that her right foot looked a little funny. We know there is definitely something wrong and spoke to her pediatrician and will get referred to a pediatric orthopedic to have it evaluated. She tends to walk on the inner sole of her foot, and her toes slightly curl a little bit and her foot turns outward. But it's only with her right foot. The left foot is completely normal. Normally I would not freak out, and after researching it seems many children have issues with their feet that resolve on its own by age 3. But I just don't want to sit on this in case it's something we can correct early and nip it in the bud. I hope it's something small and can be easily corrected.

I'll be a first time mom for awhile more, but now I'm a seasoned first time mom. Yep, I've got one whole year of experience under my belt now. HA!

I look back on the past year and there are lots of bitter sweet memories. At every stage, you're always saying, "I can't wait for the next thing." Then when the next thing is here, you're sad that time will never turn back and wish that you had just enjoyed the previous one just a little more. There is always some kind of joy to be found in even the most trying circumstances.

Kylie @ 1

My little bunny is walking about 3-5 feet on her own now. She has days where she's more willing to try and days when she's a bit more lazy. I never mentioned, but she only crawled on all fours for about 2 months, after that she crawls on her knees. It's strange and adorable at the same time. She's also added a few more words to her database. She says Hi, Baybe (Baby), Bun Bun (for her lovey), Bay Bay (give me or I give to you). She even makes the noise "umm" when she puts food in her mouth.  I think I'm forgetting 1 or 2 more. But it's amazing how she knows how to use them. She's increasingly aware of children around her. She loves to be around other kids. I can tell after a short session of play, she absorbs a lot more. I used to think it was a little hoopla that all these parents make a big deal about play dates and socialization, but I'm really starting to understand how it does open a child's mind so much more.

We transitioned her to cow's milk several days ago after her 12 month visit to her pediatrician. She's been taking to it like nothing changed. I'm really glad to be done with formula, but it's kind of a pain to transport cow's milk if we are out. What do you mommy's do? Do you just buy it while you're out or do you put it in a cooler bag? Kylie still likes her milk warmed, so I've been taking a thermos of hot water and dunking it in there. It's such a pain.

Her eating habits still drive me crazy. She eats like a bird, just like me. Now I know how much I must have drove my mom crazy. 

It's amazing what experience does for a person. I've learned to streamline so much of what it takes to care for a child. I remember the early days when I wouldn't leave the house without everything and the kitchen sink. Nowadays, I've got it down to a science and it's often nice and compact and I can leave my house in a flash.

Having a toddler reminds me of how much I disliked the newborn stage. She's able to react to me with purpose more and more. We have our own little form of communication going. It reminds me of when my little brother was a baby and nobody could understand his babbles except for us. That's kind of what it's like with Kylie right now. I'm just trying to soak in every moment.