Malina and her dogs

Trying to get Bella to help with a puzzle

Bella chose to rest on the puzzle instead of help with it

Hmm, a nap sounds nice

But I would rather be silly...

Showing Pumba her new crocs

Eating grass with Bella

Trying to ride Bella

Just relaxing

Showing Bella her favorite book series

Leaning in for a kiss

Malina is obsessed with Pumba and Bella...and luckily, they love her just as much. 

15 month old Malina Violet

Another doctor well-check has passed so it's time for a little Malina blogging.  Our little darling is now 15 months old and definitely a crazy little toddler.  It's hard to believe that she's no longer a little baby but a walking and talking little person.  Malina lives quite the life...waking around 7 to eat breakfast with Mommy, playgroup activities in the morning, lunch at noon, nap from 12-2ish, afternoon playtime until Daddy gets home, dinner at 5:30, bath and bedtime at 7.  Life is good!

Malina is obsessed with her doggies Pumba and Bella, and has no problem enduring the 110 degree temperatures to be outside with them.  The only TV show she will watch is Dogs 101, a documentary on dogs...fascinating for Brian and I (insert sarcastic voice here). She is extremely shy in social situations but absolutely crazy at home. 

Our little babe measured in at a healthy 30.5 inches (50%) and 20.4 pounds (10%).

Our little blondie

There is nothing better than an exhausted baby

Having some fun with Daddy

Grandparents are the best!

The Kuhn's drove into town for a short weekend of fun.  We woke up early Saturday morning to get to the zoo before the temperature reached 100.  Then on Sunday, Mother's Day, we enjoyed a brunch at the house with Lynne and Joe.  Here are some of our favorite pics from the weekend.

Yes, that is a leash

Taking a break to have a snack at the zoo

Grandma and Malina

My favorites

Grandma and Malina again

Family

Toddler Malina

Playing chase

Sitting at her "big girl" table

"DaDa's" girl



Sharing spit with Bella



Ready for the pool

We have seen the biggest change in Malina over the past month.  She started walking at 12 and half months and hasn't slowed down since.  She loves to spend the mornings and evenings outside with the dogs and would probably sleep with them if we'd let her.  Pumba follows her everywhere, whereas Bella's interest is fleeting.  She is obsessed with reading and insists on the same book over and over again.  She is a bit crazy at home but extremely reserved when we're out with our play group (maybe like her momma). 

The shirt says it all...

So true

Grammy and Grandpa Ullrich just left after a ten day visit.  We kept pretty busy visiting the Phx Desert Botanical Garden, visiting Great Grandma in Sun City, playing at the beach pool, and enjoying some warm weather.  Brian and I even got away for a night: a "stay-cation" in Tempe.  Overall, it was a wonderful two weeks. 

Walking with Great G'ma and Grandpa

the girls

Our little butterfly

I'm not sure who enjoyed this more...

Desert Botanical Garden

Peekaboo

Loves to swing

Screw the Easter eggs, rocks are easier to find

Growth Spurt!

Last week Malina measured in at 30 in. long, which bumps her into the 75th percentile for height!  Her weight measured at a whopping 19.1 pounds, which puts her somewhere between the 10-25th percentile.  We play outside all day long...trying to enjoy the weather before it really heats up! 

Malina terrorizing Pumba...

They are surprisingly best buds...can never get both of them looking at me at the same time.

Playing in the mud

Favorite evening activity: playing with the dogs' water bowl

   

Happy Birthday!!

The saying "Time flies when you're having fun" doesn't do this past year justice.  We celebrated Malina's first birthday for an entire weekend with family and friends.  Malina's grandparents, G'ma and G'pa Kuhn, drove in for the special weekend.  On her birthday she enjoyed pancakes for the first time, a visit to a nearby park, and dinner out at our favorite mexican joint.  The real party took place the following day as we invited friends over to celebrate with us.  Malina is so blessed to have such a loving family and such amazing friends, and we are so blessed to have Malina as our darling little girl.  Here are some pics from Malina's birthday weekend.

After trying to put the candle out with her fingers.

"Yummy!"

Intently reading a birthday card

Birthday dinner

First time eating cake!