One

Maddie giving one of her "besos."

Little Madelyn turned one today. We sure love our baby girl. She is many things to our family, including a princess, a drama queen, a tornado (because she refuses to be held and usually tries to spin out of your arms when you try to contain her), a daredevil, and most importantly a little light in our family. Here are some facts about Maddie:

• She loves it when you sing to her and will clap for you anytime you do.
• She loves being the center of attention.
• She still loves guacamole, hummus, anything sweet, and her latest favorite is grapes.
• She is an awesome sleeper and has been since she was six weeks old.
• She is an easy-going little girl as long as you give her whatever she wants, right when she wants it (we'll keep her just the way she is, drama and all!)
• She loves to wave bye-bye and has even been know to wave good-bye to her milk after she throws it off her high chair tray.
• She will clap for herself on cue whenever you cheer, "Yay Maddie!"
• Her big brother can make her laugh like no one else. He watches out for her (and tattles on her as well).
• She is starting to say her first words, though only her parents' ears can decipher most of what she says. Her first word was che, as in leche---it is still the first word out of her mouth almost every morning when I get her out of her crib (Can I get a buenos dias, mama, please?). She also says Papa, Mama (but she'll usually only say this when in distress), beso, galleta (Spanish for cookie---though you have to use your imagination to understand that one) and bebe (Spanish for baby).
• She makes the best kissy face and will give "besos" or blow kisses to just about anyone who asks.
• She hates getting her diaper changed.
• She still crawls most of the time to get around, but is walking more and more every day--she has a big bruise on her forehead from the other day when she tried to walk by herself and the book shelf caught her fall.
• She is fearless--and a little wreckless.
• Her favorite toys are keys, wallets (Ryan calls her our little gold digger), and water bottles.
• She would swing all day long if I would push her.
• She is our little angel and I don't know what we ever did without her.

Happy Birthday, Maddie! We love you!