Macy's Santaland

While in Chicago, we decided to take Linkan to sit on Santa's lap. Santa was at Santaland in Macy's in downtown Chicago. We were in the area the day before we had planned to go so we thought we would go scope it out. Finding Santaland was an adventure itself! It was like unwrapping a very complicated present!! So, when we finally found it - we had spent so much time trying to get there that we decided to go ahead and get some pictures. Unfortunately, Linkan didn't have her cute little dress that I had ready for her to wear for the pictures but thats okay. She was very intrigued with Santa and didn't even cry! It was a memorable "first picture with Santa" for sure!

Deciding whether it was ok to sit on Santa's lap.

Petting Santa's furry coat.

Telling Santa what she wants for Christmas.

Posing for the Macy's camera crew. Thats all the...er...smile that you're gonna get! :)

Little love turns one!

"Coloring at Red Robin"

Yummy sundae for the birthday girl!


Our sweet baby girl turned ONE year old today! We can now switch from referring to her in months to years! She ushered the birthday in with a sleepless night due to some incoming teeth. Considering that she only has two teeth right now, that is a good thing! :)

We are in Chicago during her birthday. Her daddy had business here so we decided to take some vacation and extend the stay. We're doing some shopping today together and then going out to Red Robin for dinner. Her Grandma and Grandpa Postlethwait visited us last weekend to celebrate her birthday. Grandma and Grandpa Ellis, Aunt MoMo, Aunt Jessica and cousin Brody visited a few weeks ago to celebrate. It is hard to believe that one year ago, she had just been born! What an amazing ride her birth was...and it was all worth it. I would do it over again in a heartbeat!

At her 1 year doctor's appointment, she was 30 inches tall and 18 lbs. 6 oz. She lost a few ounces from her last appointment at 9 months. She is really turning into a tall, lean little girl. All that cute baby chub is all gone and her look has definitely moved from "baby" to "toddler". :) When her 6 month old cousin, Brody was here a few weeks ago - we laughed because they are about the same weight! We have started weaning this week and so far so good. I've been able to drop her 3rd feeding so we are only nursing when she wakes up and when she goes to sleep. I think these two periods will be challenging for her to let go of. We're not going to push her super hard and make a battle out of it but we are definitely moving in that direction and that is a good thing! ;)

Linkan took her first steps in early October but it's only been since 11 months that she has REALLY been walking. She is loving her new found freedom and mobility! She has been able to go down steps all by herself for about 2 months but she really prefers to walk down the steps like a big girl so she will go to the top of the step and hold her hand out for help. She talks and sings. She likes to sing with me in the morning and it melts my heart. She can say dada, mama, and hi. Her FAVORITE thing to say is hi. We hear that ALL the time. I wonder if that means she is a budding extrovert?? She waves hi and goodbye to everyone. She loves Boss and Stella. She is constantly joining Boss on his dog bed. He is a good pillow for her. She is fascinated with dog beds...or anything that seems like a mini-bed. She'll go and lay her head down like she is taking a nap. I think one of her Christmas presents will be a fun play mat/bed of her own. Ben said to just get her a dog bed. I don't think I will... ha She loves to mimic everything that mom and dad do...she tries to put her own headbands on, clip her toe nails, brush her hair, feed herself. She is eating like a champ. I have continued to make her baby food and lately, have just been blending up whatever we had for dinner for her. Her favorite foods are spinach and potato puree and any combination of fruit. She started drinking cow's milk and seems to enjoy that too. She mastered the straw a while ago and that is her preferred way to drink things. She loves to play with daddy. He does things with her that mama won't do...including flips and spins in the air. It looks scary to me but she eggs him on with giggles so it's her own fault! She loves to climb on everything and has had quite a few bonks already. She generally sleeps from 7:30p to 8a and takes one afternoon nap. She is an average sleeper (sleeping through the night) but lately has been doing really good. She is learning what "no" means. When we tell her no very sternly, her bottom lip quivers and she cries. This usually makes us laugh so we have to turn our backs to her. We love her sensitive heart and consider this a good quality for her to have. :)

Each stage of Linkan's life gets more and more fun for us. I keep wondering when we'll get to a stage that we don't like...hopefully it won't be until the dreaded teenage years. haha :) We love our precious little daughter and look forward to many many more birthday celebrations!