And than she was ONE!

Happy birthday my sweet little pumpkin nose!  I cannot express just how crazy fast this year has gone,  Elliotte went from being able to just sleep and poop, to being able to walk, point to dogs and fans, go to the bathtub and crib on command and put dangerous objects in her mouth!  My confidence as a mother has grown ten fold, mainly because I was able to keep alive a totally helpless newborn and now rambunctious one year old.  I feel like I have learned how to be less selfish, and that love for my daughter grows with each passing moment..  She has brought Josh and I closer and made me marvel at God in ways a never thought possible.  She is a gift, and I am so thankful that God choose me to be her mama.

Elliotte can now....
Walk
take off her shirt in the middle of the night
point to things she wants (or doesn't want)
eat things off the floor
kiss (really just slobber on your check)
Hug
Slap you when she doesn't want something (we are working on this)
laugh at silly dancing by her mama and dada
smile when I or dada walk in the room
smile when we say No
run from you when you say no
share when you ask to see what she is holding as long as you give it back ASAP
go to the crib, tub and highchair on command/when she feels like listening
drop cell phones in the dog's water dish
pull random objects into her crib that are within reach when she should be sleeping (i.e. picture frames)
poop in the tub
reach for me when she is hurt or tired
share food with the dog
make my heart swell with joy

Today is her true birthday but this weekend we are really going to party!  All of her grandparents are coming to meet us in OKC to give this party girl a proper one year old party!!!  Elliotte cannot wait to see them and wants to thank everyone who has contributed to her first year of life's survival!  (grandmas)

A festival fit for a peacock!

Sooo, its almost Halloween and since Elliotte's birthday falls on the weekend of such a holiday we decided to dress her up early, and head to the park where the annual Chili cook off happens in our neighborhood!  Our peacock made quite the impression on all those attending, many who thought she was a butterfly, bug of some sort, or a monster.  Idiots.  BUT nonetheless the peacock had lots of fun playing in the park with pops, and sharing chili with mama!  Peacock even WON the cake walk!!!  (And by win, I mean I stood on the squares for her and did all the work while she got to enjoy the spoils of my effort)  She picked a kitty cake, and LOVED the licorice whiskers.  But than again who wouldn't?!  She got jibbed on the costume contest, some stupid werewolf kid won, and he wasn't even that cute to be honest.  I have suspicions that it was rigged...  But that didn't stop the peacock from strutting her stuff proudly on the runway.  Even if she didn't win she will always be the cock of the walk in my heart.  Peacock, you did your mama proud!

A peacock is known to be extremely adorable and a bit rambunctious at times.

Peacocks are capable of riding equine!

Peacocks feast on pumpkins often.

Contrary to popular belief, Peacocks love to swing! 

Here the peacock is with the winner of the Chili Cook off!!! 

Peacocks love Kitty cakes!!!