HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY, MALIA!!!

What better way to start a birthday than by being serenaded with "Happy Birthday?" After Malia, Spencer and I were up and moving, we conference- called Rick at work so we could all sing this beloved song to our beloved daughter and sister.

And, why not make the day even better by playing Peek-A-Boo at breakfast? At least the plate was already emptied of her chocolate chip pancakes and eggs with smokies.

Then it was off to sit with Spencer, who had another two hour delay. Here they are watching cartoons on the couch.

Time to say good-bye ... the bus is coming!

"Time to re-decorate my little tree with the links the Drakes got for me. Don't the colors look beautiful?"

Grandpa Tom & Grandma Cindy came over this morning to wish Malia a happy birthday. Malia also got some phone calls from friends and family to wish her a happy special first birthday.

Here are some of our birthday decorations - getting ready for Saturday's party. Be sure to notice the chopstick holder in the middle of the table that looks like a fan!

Fun lights to make our house look birthday festive.


This afternoon we went with my Mom and Dad to get pictures taken at J*C Penney's. My Mom's "Ya Ya" friends bought her a photo package from there so she could get her picture taken with Malia. We had her wear one of her silk dresses and squeaky shoes from China ... the all white ones. Sorry, no photos of this to include here.

But, we do have a photo of Spencer at tonight's band concert! Malia was very loud during the concert. I guess she was more in the mood to talk than listen - go figure!



Malia is officially walking. I'd say that this became official two days ago. She can stand up from a sitting position and begin to walk all on her own. She is also able to turn around and walk in the other direction, and she can squat down to pick something up and then keep on going. She's amazing!!!

She babbles and jabbers a lot, saying things like "Dad," "Mom," "Dat," "Bob," "Va." I love it when she whispers "dat, dat, dat, dat, dat." Yesterday she leaned back towards Rick and said "Hi, Dad." Although it was an accidental thing (she didn't really mean to say it), it was so sweet to hear and made us chuckle. She seems to know just who to look at when we say "Kitty" and "Dog," and both animals can make her smile when they make an appearance.

She seems to understand "more bite" (for more food) and "drink." When using her hands, she can feed herself very well. We've not yet begun to teach her to use utensils, but we do let her play with the ones we're using when the meal is finished. We like that she'll put them up to her mouth - hoping the motion will become familiar. She likes to drink out of her sippy cup during the day, but doesn't comprehend that she needs to tip the cup when sitting upright. Therefore, we have to help her tip it enough to get any liquid to come out. When she's leaning back some, she can do it all on her own. She still takes a bottle right before bed, which allows Rick or myself some precious time with her.

She likes to shake her head "no" and will sometimes shake it "yes." She loves music and bobs up and down when she hears a tune she likes. Sometimes she just bobs her head and other times she bobs at the knees.

She's starting to wave hello and good-bye and loves to clap. She's also become interested in making my hands clap for me, grabbing on to each of my hands and pushing them together, then apart, then together again, and so on. She does the same thing when I pinch together my thumb and forefinger. She's enthralled with the fact that I can make the fingers on my hand fold and unfold like a fan (putting down one finger at a time quickly and then putting them back up one at a time - kind of like "the wave"). She'll then look at her hands and open and close them.

She doesn't laugh very often, but when she does it's one of the most sweetest sounds to my ears. She loves Peek-A-Boo ... her favorite game to play.

She's not afraid to wander around the house on her own, especially when she's following the cat. She's the typical toddler that loves to get into cabinets and drawers and pull everything out, often leaving a trail that makes her easy to find.

She's starting to try and climb onto furniture and the other night, after much struggle, she actually made it onto the ottoman. She enjoys going up and down steps and often tries to get into the tub on her own when it's bath time (don't worry, we don't really let her attempt this - but that doesn't stop her from trying as she leans against the tub while getting undressed). She doesn't really cry much, even when she falls or hits her head as she tumbles. She'll just kind of look up at me a little startled. It takes a good "bonk" to get her crying.

She's more serious than jovial, but her smile can melt your heart. She's very curious. I often times wonder what she's thinking or how she's processing something she's watching.

Malia seems to be bonding well with her family. I really think only time will tell how well we're coming along in this area. However, we're pleased at how well things seem to be going so far. We're now limiting who can hold her and will re-evaluate how things are going in a couple months.

We are so blessed to have this precious gift in our family!


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Malia,

May this new year be one filled with love, happiness, joy, trust, confidence and great adventure. But, most of all, may it be a year filled with God's blessings in your life. I continue to pray that even at your very young age you somehow have a knowledge of your Creator, Maker and Life-Sustainer. May you know that your life is special and has an important purpose because of Him alone.

I pray that God will continue to bless our family, and that you will begin to trust and love us and accept us as your family. I pray that any part of you that is grieving or confused will begin to heal, and that in the future these difficult times will have developed a strength and wisdom within you.

We love you, Malia! So very much!!
Happy Birthday, our precious daughter and sister!