Show and Tell with the Takalas: One Year Old!

Well, it's official. Our little girl is one year old! How can that even be? The past year has easily been the best of our lives. I'd say that it's also been the hardest, and it ways it has been hard, but it's also been wonderful. I don't really even remember much about the hard times because the amazing times completely outweigh them. This month has been great and our little girl is really changing from baby into toddler. It's amazing to watch. Let's get started, shall we?

Walking- Emily has officially begun taking steps. She still isn't all over the place walking, but she can walk. Mostly, she just takes three or four steps and then sits down. Her crazy height makes it a bit harder for her to balance. It's so much faster and easier for her to crawl that she isn't very interested in walking on her own. If we hold her hand, though, she loves to walk. It won't be long and she'll be running, so I'm not pushing the walking!
Clapping- Emily also began clapping on her own this month. It is so cute! When we clap for her, she also starts clapping for herself. You can see how proud she is.
Eating- This month Emily has discovered green beans and she LOVES them. She could eat a whole can at once. She also finally decided that she likes mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese. Both of these she has balked at on multiple occasions in the past, but now she is a big fan.
Sick again- Just a little cold this time, but she gave it to mommy and daddy. Thanks, sweetie!
Jazzercise friends- Emily goes to babysitting at Jazzercise every day and she is making some sweet little friends. Most of them are older and they all just love her. They all crowd around her when we get there and call her by name as we leave. So super sweet.
Peek-a-boo- She loves to play Peek-a-boo and Where's Emily? We've been doing it for awhile, but she has finally started initiating the game herself this month.
Words- Her main words are still Mama, Dada, ball, and hi. She says Hi ALL THE TIME. She loves it! She says ba and da as well to mean alot of different things.
Kisses- Emily has started giving kisses this week and it is the sweetest thing ever. Right smack on the lips.

At her one year appointment, Emily was 21 lbs (50%,) 31.5 inches (98%,) and her head is 90%. Dr. Copeland said she is perfectly proportional and the size of an 18 month old. So glad she's long and thin! Her Daddy and I are working hard on our own health to make sure that she grows up to be a healthy adult. She wears a size three diaper and twelve month clothes.

And of course...Emily's many faces.

Emily Elizabeth,
Every day you amaze us with your sweetness, your brightness, and your precious personality. You are independent, strong willed, loving, beautiful, and you were made especially for us by God! We have loved every single moment of our first year together. You will never know how much we love you...until you have your own little girl! We pray for you every day that you will grow up to be healthy and strong and that you will live a long, happy life at the center of God's will for your life. We pray that the Lord will use you to do great and mighty things for him. Selfishly, I pray that God will give you the amazing gift of music and that you will lead people in worship to him, but I know that whatever gifting the Lord gives you will be amazing and we will always be so proud of you. We love you so much, baby girl. Happy Birthday!

We somehow didn't manage to take any good pictures this past month, so these are all from my phone. Oh well!