A girl named Widget

I’m not a baby anymore!

I’m a toddler, so don’t give me no stinking baby food!

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Guess what? I updated my blog!

I know, I know. I haven’t updated my blog in for-ever! But I finally had time this weekend, and updates go back quite a bit.

Of course, most people who follow my travails know that I had a birthday so I have a good excuse for being busy. A baby’s life is just full of activities, you know.

Since there have been so many updates, backdated for posterity, here’s the quick round up, most recent first:

• Another birthday party!
• Widget learns to share
• My one-year-old doctor visit
• Another birthday (shh… it’s a surprise)
• Texas Grandparents come and go again
• My very first birthday party
• Getting ready for my first party
• I am 1-year old today!
• (My) Labor Day Anniversary
• My new stroller
• A penguin’s first Halloween (added a video)

There’s still lots of video to go through so bear with me. I may be posting more this week.

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I’ve decided I like noodles

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Another birthday party!

Wow, big week for birthdays.

This time, I celebrated Mia’s grandma’s birthday. She’s just one day older than me, and a few years. I had lots of fun at this party too. I even got a present.

I also met a bunch more kids, including Nico and his sister Nora. And Emma. And Mia was there too. Mia, Emma and Nora were all older and more mobile than me, so I watched as they played girly games:

I also met Fiona and Roderick and several aunties and uncles. I don’t remember all of their names. But I had fun and the food was good too even though I only got to eat some noodles.

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Widget learns to share

My parents wanted to point out how cheeky kids can be, so this is another video from the “ANOTHER BIRTHDAY PARTY!” post. Nico, who is three months older than me, was eying the same left-over party blowouts as yours truly. I successfully possessed the three blowouts, when others present decided I should share.

My one-year-old doctor visit

Well, I had my yearly check-up. Things went smashingly well until those vaccines shots again! I’m pretty much up to speed to on my developmental milestones. I’m not walking yet. I’m just prefer a high-speed crawl to a wobbly, stuttering walk. There happened to be a painted picture of a dog and a ball on the examining room wall, so I shouted to the doctor my first word: “Ball!!” I also showed her how I can blink on command. Everyone gets a kick out of that. For all you fontanelle aficionados, mine is still not closed.

Here’s a look at my progress (with my percentile compared to the rest of kids my age):

Some new things I can do now:

• Feed myself with a spoon — but sometimes the food slips off before it gets to my mouth.
• Stand up on two feet.
• I have tried to say many words: Woof, kitty, cheese and hat. But I still really only like to say ‘Ball!’
• Wave bye-bye (sometimes).
• Hug my stuffed animals.
• Crawl up the stairs (with supervision).
• Scribble with crayons.
• Brush my teeth and comb my hair.
• I like trying all sorts of funky foods that other babies would totally gag on. So far: pickles, black olives, asparagus and  brussel sprouts

• I can point to my belly button, and I can find yours.
• I clap when I hear the word ‘cheesecake.’
• Blink on command.

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Another birthday (shh… it’s a surprise)

Today, I got all dressed to go out to eat. It was my uncle Jeff’s birthday and it was a surprise. I think he was surprised that I was there. It was a fancy-schmancy restaurant that overlooked the Dana Point harbor. But I couldn’t see much cuz it was so dark.

At least they had pasta (but not for the kids meal — what’s up with that?)

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Texas Grandparents come and go again

Texas Grandparents came to visit! At first they had planned a short weekend visit, then a little friendly persuasion convinced them to stay the whole week and help make my birthday special.  We hung out and went for walks during the beginning of the week before things got hectic for my birthday party planning.

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My very first birthday party

The day of my big party finally arrived. I was lots of fun! We had lots of guest and lots of food!

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Texas Grandma baked two different kinds of birthday cake. She also made the Texas portion of the birthday spread: brisket, pork and beans and potato salad (which we forgot to put out!). California Grandma made Malaysian food: Won-tons, sticky-rice and everyone’s favorite satay with yummy satay sauce. Unkie Jon cooked the satay that Ah-ma prepared. Mommy made coconut shrimp. And they had the nerve to try to feed me baby food! I’m so over that phase.

Friends of all ages stopped by. My long-time friend Mia Juliet stopped by from Texas. She brought her parents and her grandma. My other long-time friend and confidant, Hannah, also came by. She gave me lots of tips on being the guest of honor. Some noobs to the baby-scene also showed up. Bill and Jennifer brought Charlotte (circa 5 months old). Roxanne brought Sam (10 weeks old).

I wore a special princess hat and a special princess sash. A girl could get used to this. Oh, and did I mention presents!! Yes, indeed. There were presents for little ol’ one-year-old me. Thanks kith and kin!!

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Getting ready for my first party

Everyone was really busy today. In addition to lots of cooking, there was decorating and re-arranging of the furniture. The kitchen table turned into a play fort when Mommy draped a big table cloth over it. It was like a big game of peek-a-boo.

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