Independence

Independence day is usually celebrated in July right? Would someone please explain that to Makailey? It has been Independence MONTH around our home.

Our little angel is growing up and showing her desire for her own independence.

 

As parents we enjoy watching her learn new things, develop new skills
and her personality traits.

 Her newly found independence has been a little harder to enjoy however.
 I am not sure if it is more because she is suddenly not a happy girl all the time or if it means that we are nearing the end of her "baby days."
 Whatever the reason, it has sure been exciting around here lately and

Makailey is such a sweet girl it is hard to do anything but hug and kiss her!

She likes to help Mommy do her (Makailey's) hair. This means, she has to have her own comb, clips and hair product to "help" with her hair each morning.

She likes to dress herself. Makailey isn't actually able to put on or take her clothes off by herself, but she does insist on when (everything is on her time schedule lately) and what she is wearing (most days).

She likes to pick a show to watch (usually "Ho Ho Ho" meaning the grinch - or sesame street) and needs to hold her own remote to watch it.

She LOVES to read books and MUST choose which stories we read Thu-out the day.

She loves to play with her toys; she can now throw you the ball across the room, push the car or truck around the room saying "vroom vroom," she can turn on the glow worm by herself and rocks it back and forth in her arms while it plays its song. She also pushes the doll stroller around by herself and asks for help when she crashes. She loves to play kitchen and will bring you an apple or fish or whatever and hold it out until you pretend to eat it, then she says "yum yum." and goes to find more play food for you to eat.
 On the other hand, she has learned to use a few of her toys incorrectly too, she now sticks play food down the ball popper and becomes angry when it is stuck. She has also placed several toys in the diaper pail without our knowledge (I didn't even know she could open it!) She also climbs into the toy bucket quite often now and plays with the toys inside (I think she is just trying to cut down on the clean up).

She must have her own "real" phone (mom's old phone) and will put it to her ear and say "Hello" and then hands it to you and expects you to do the same.

She says several word by herself and does the signs (Sign Language) for a few more.
She can say: Mama, Daddy, Hello, Yum, HO HO HO, Angel (Grandma's dog), NO!, vroom vroom, ruff ruff, duck (which also means quack sometimes), oh oh, Rawrr!, tickle tickle, and that's all I can think of right now.
She Signs: "please" and "thank you" very well and we are working on "sorry".

She is a little vain, she loves to look at the "pretty girl" in the mirror and give her kisses. Mom, Dad and her baby dolls also get kisses quite often :)

She has also become more afraid of things lately. for example she cried last week while playing with her cousin and a toy that squeaks. She wont wear some really cute shoes I bought her that squeak when she walks because it scares her. She often cries in church when another child cries (nursery will be fun huh?)

Even with all of the new found independence around here, we have so much fun

 and love every moment together!

We can't believe that at this time last year Makailey was only 3 months old!

Time just seems to speed up every year! 

We are so excited for Christmas with her this year though, she will be able to really get into the traditions and fun activities we do together!