Savannah’s Birthday–Getting Ready

Happy First Birthday to our little girl!!! She is really a whole year old already, I still can’t believe it! To minimize the chaos we had two parties to celebrate – one with mostly family and friends with babies Sav’s age, the other with friends that have bigger kids or no kids. Savannah had two g

The invitation:

We had a bunch of BIG balloons, pinwheel garland (with the extras on the wall), a chalkboard with Sav’s “stats”, a birthday banner and pinwheels in her cupcakes. We also setup a couple tunnels with tent and teepee borrowed from cousin Ana and a ball pit – a small inflatable pool with plastic balls.

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On her birthday morning Savannah woke up her normal happy self – and we even had relief from the rash! Mother Nature must’ve known it was a special day. Ok, so we didn’t catch many smiles on the first pictures but I swear she was a happy girl.

 

As it was her birthday we had a trial of the festivities in the morning. Mainly – the ball pit!

VIDEO:  In the Ball Pit

 

It was quickly baby approved and the smiles were a-plenty!

VIDEO: Earthquake!

It didn’t take long for her to figure out how to climb in and out of it either.

VIDEO: In and Out

Gators

Our little monster (as you’ll hear in the Gator Head video) has always loved the gator head on her play table. Months ago I started putting a ball in his mouth and she’d try and get it out, later of course she’d get it out easily then keep checking to see if another was there. Now, she’s doing it all on her own and so giddy with herself!

Gator Head

So I’m just a tad proud of the sign language.. We’ve seen her do fish, bird, milk and I believe another I can’t remember. I haven’t been able to catch any more on video since she does it when she wants and has clearly told me she’s not a trained monkey to do it on cue but here’s some more ball video..

More Ball

I’m still trying to figure out what Sav has a big attachment to. Others babies I know have their pacifiers or bottles or blankets.. Savannah.. Nothing really. Unless you count the puppy lovey in her crib that she cuddles with. It never leaves her crib unless it’s being washed so she can sleep without it but it’s the closest thing I can figure she really likes and might have an issue if something happened to it..

And to end this post, a random picture of her playing with the gate which makes her look like she’s in jail :)

Sitting, Tents and Ramps

Not only is our little monkey standing and cruising alone the furniture she quickly got the hang of sitting down. I had heard we needed to show her ASAP else we might wake to her crying in the middle of the night because she’s stood up in her crib and can’t get down. Thankfully, we didn’t have that happen here. For one, she either doesn’t get up in the middle of the night or if she does, she doesn’t make enough noise to wake us up. Yes, we are still getting 12 hours of sleep from her at night. Yay!!! Trust me, I fully realize this may not last so I’ve savoring every one of the last 8 or whatever months of these nights that we’ve had!

Hi Fives, Sitting and On Her Way

Grandma Wienke brought a tunnel set to borrow for Savvy’s birthday. She was intrigued by Daddy putting it together and decided to turn into a Samurai fighter with the poles..

So far Savvy is not going into the tent, teepee or tunnels . Daddy even got in to try and convince her – she went up to visit, wave and talk to him but from the edge..

 

Daddy in the Tent

We bought a ball ramp toy for Savannah a while ago and recently she’s figured it out. She’s trying to test it’s limits too and tries every ball she has to see which will work – all of the others just topple the toy over :) Regardless, she finds it very funny.

Ball Ramp

Ball Ramp 2

And some more video of one of her other favorite newer toys – the Alphabet Train.

More Alphabet Train

Table Dancing

Savannah has always loved music but she’s dancing more and more. Well, while standing it’s more like a little wiggle but I’m counting it!

Table Dancing

She is also talking up a storm! To herself, to the TV, to Marc and me and while in the pool she stands at the wall and has long conversations with the big palm tree.. I am curious what they are chatting about but I don’t understand her Russian..

Chatting 1

Chatting 2

She also had a grand ol’ time at Ikea last weekend checking out the beds. I wish I had caught the beginning on camera – I put her down at the end of the bed and she immediately crawled up to Marc and snuggled with him. It was sooo cute!!!

The Alphabet Train

Since Savannah is starting to pull herself up and take a step or two we decided to get her a some sort of walker. We looked online and found one that is a train so she can sit on the back and walk with the front. Turns out it moves to fast for her since she’s just learning and I have a feeling that if she tried to pull herself up with the train it would topple on her. However, she does like all the other parts of it and riding it!!

The Alphabet Train

Savvy’s First Sign(s)

While playing in the family room with her toys, Savvy all of a sudden tapped her hands together and said “Baa Baa” for Ball. I shrieked which at first scared her then I clapped and did the normal yay!! She laughed and did it over and over again. The first video starts with her doing the sign (close to it)  for ball and screeching then she starts saying “Ball” at the end. The second is shorter but shows it a little better.

Ball!(1)

Ball!(2)

The actual sign for Ball is to cup your hands together like you’re holding a ball. Sav isn’t keeping both hands open so it’s like she’s doing one hand for ball and the other for more (same sign as ball except your fingers are together).

BALL:

MORE:

The same day she saw Melanie and patted her leg – the sign for dog!! She made a “D” sound but not sure what the rest was. I don’t have it on video since she’s used it very sporadically but the sign is:

DOG:

And before Marc left for work tonight he mentioned her rubbing her fingers on her mouth and making the blblblbl noise could be her trying eat. The sign is moving your hand to your mouth but could be.. Lexy also told him she thinks Sav signed Milk the other day. Maybe she went from zero to 5 already?! :)

EAT:

MILK:

 

I think she’s said a few other “words” – bunny, daddy, puppy? – because she does the same word every time she sees them. I can’t for the life of me tell you what the noises are by spelling them. Many times they are followed by screeching and laughing, she is apparently very happy and amused with herself just like we are. Maybe a little more so believe it or not.

Since I don’t have any pictures of the signing, just the videos, here’s some random pictures..

Coming for the camera:

And Savvy doing my work :-)

 

Rise and Shine!

Not only is Savannah still happy most mornings when we go to get her from her room, she’s now STANDING!! Totally took me off guard when I walked in. It’s made mornings even better since I can get her clothes out, clean things if needed etc before taking her out of the crib since she just walks along the bar chit-chatting (with me, and the fan, and her toys).

Blurry pictures – baby doesn’t stay still!!

Before that morning she had done it a couple random times downstairs but ever since I found her standing in her crib she’s standing everywhere! The ottoman, the fireplace, the end tables.. Anything she can get her hands on.

Standing 1

Standing 2

She is even showing off and letting go with her hands which is still freaking me out afraid she’ll fall. As for sitting back down, at first she seemed to just do it but every once in a while she whines like she’s stuck. I haven’t figured out the difference of why she’s sometimes unsure as it’s been in the same place where she had just sat back down 5 minutes earlier. Oh well, she’ll master it soon I’m sure!