A year of Kira!

Today marks a full year of pure sunshine and smiles from the most perfect baby girl!  Kira is one!

Kira loves her cake, but it certainly was not the first cake of her life...or of her day.  

As much as she loves sweets (like her mom!), she also devours veggie pouches and chicken.  Her favorite food are Cheerios, she is officially done with formula, and loves milk! Minnie Mouse is still her go-to stuffed pal, but she has a strong attachment to Daisy, who lives in her crib along with her doll, that Max named, Sadie.  She moves all over the place by scooting around on her bum, and it definitely looks like she may skip crawling all together.  Mommy and daddy always fight over who gets to put her to sleep.  Although she is increasingly [and age appropriately] more cautious of new people, she does not have a parental preference, which is awesome because both parentals want her all the time!

"Happy birthday to KIIIIIIIA!!!"

The morning before Kira was born and today- two pumpkin muffins ["cupcakes"].  No doubt Max ate that whole frosting-less muffin last year, but today he only licked the frosting off six.

Brooks babies' first birthday

Traditional 1st birthday touchdown!

Big brother birthday hugs!

Max may be a handful, but he sure does love his "Kia!".  Watching Max in action as a big brother have been the sweetest moments of the year.

School party with Riley and Iris

Kira's birth day and Kira's 1st birthday- one year later and she has tripled in size!

The excitement of hearing "It's a girl!" was just the beginning of the most wonderful year with the most wonderful girl.  

The last 365 mornings of waking up to this glowing smile have been amazing!

The night before Kira was one

One year ago tonight no one thought Kira would be born the next day.  Maybe deep down Max knew, because he was awake and screaming from 1am to 3am, an awful, but memorable night.  His last night as an only child.  And the next night he had a sister, and mommy got the most glorious night of sleep, in the hospital, with her daughter.

Playing trucks with Kira and mommy

She got it!

Send it back to Max!

Awake and refreshed after yet another peaceful night of sleep.  Kira is simply the best.

Chick fil a with friends

Kira and Tessa may have eaten more than their older siblings for dinner 

Peek-a-boo!

Spider Man and Ninja Turtle going at it 

Spider Max came to mommy's school in the morning before his doctor appointment 

"We both have the same tissue box!  We match!" said Spider Max early this morning 

Lego-palooza

Max and Kira went to Ben's 5th birthday party today.  Their friends are getting old!

Basketball in the bounce house 

Kira and the boys 

Finally another baby girl, Celia!

Max and Kira both really like Legos, and there was no shortage of them at Ben's Lego party.

Max slept from 8pm to 5:30am, so it was awesome that he took a nap.  Unfortunately, it was under extreme duress, as he literally tantrumed himself to sleep in the middle of the basement floor.  It gave his two side kicks, daddy and pa, a chance to rest, too.

On your mark, get set,...

GO!

Where have you been for the past two hours, Kira!!!  

Last night was the first night in Kira's whole, entire, almost one whole year life, that she had a hard time going to sleep.  She even woke up and needed daddy to rock her back to sleep.  Mommy desperately wanted to snuggle her in bed, but the chances of Max discovering his sister getting that type of special treatment would be irreversible.  Despite Kira's extremely temporary, and relatively minor [in relation to her brother] sleep set-back, she snoozed until 7:30am and was her joyful self all day.

Thank you, Memory Match, for entertaining Max for a few invaluable, pre-sunrise minutes.

Take that, fall!

According to Max it is not fall, and it certainly is not 60 degrees.

Max actually had a good reason to be wearing his swim trunks (although he could have worn some additional layers) since he went to visit grandma and pa who were staying nearby.

After spending the evening at a football game, Max did not go to bed until nearly 10pm.  Of course he was ready to play basketball bright and early this morning.

Kira came along to watch the game, too.

Silly Max and Kira

Max wore daddy's shorts!

Friday Night Lights

Max had a great time at the South Lakes homecoming game!

With his mouth full of "string chocolate" (Tootsie roll), Max continued to request "tight pants" and "a higher jersey" (shoulder padding) like the football players.

Before the game, Max got his weight in candy from the homecoming parade.

Kira stayed home because she was very sleepy.  She is getting some more teeth, which makes sense, since there is no other reasonable explanation that Miss Congeniality would not be all smiles.

Ladies who drink tea at school 

"My teacher said to wear a hat and gloves," Max said as he also put on his fireman jacket this morning.

October is for pumpkins

Kira loves magnets!

She even tried to imitate the animal noises.

Max was dressed to impress at school today while he investigated the inside of a pumpkin...

...and while he was in the Five Little Pumpkins play...

...and while he painted a pumpkin.  

Waiting for Maxey Paxey!

"The ceiling is like the floor- I want to stand on it!"

Picture perfect morning

Max selected his formal plaid ensemble this morning because he wanted to coach.  Of course he wanted Kira to match, too.  And of course, mommy had to take pictures!  And of course it was all before 7am.

Max had to change into his "Count shirt" and bring The Count (and get a bag of Skittles) to get a haircut.  

Max was more than a little excited that Aunt Arielle sent Kira a matching bench for her birthday.