Bye bye baby

It's creeped up on us once again.  Sadly, our baby is no longer a baby anymore.  Elli has turned one!  The first three months went by slow enough that I remember her newborn stage.  The last nine months have gone by in a blur.  Good thing I have some cute pictures and memories written down.  Here is what Elli has been up to lately:

• She's pulling up on things, especially people, and can stand by herself a little bit.
• She will walk along things a little bit, but not much.
• She says dada, uh-oh, hi, go, and sock (maybe socks because she puts a "z" at the end) clearly enough for us to understand her.  She does not say mama, it is rare to hear and has been heard a total of ten times.  She also doesn't say milk or water in any way because it's a fight to get her to drink anything.
• She has her front four teeth now.
• She's been giving Michael kisses a lot, but rarely anyone else.  She will randomly crawl next to Michael and the next second it looks like she's trying to eat his face.  Luckily he doesn't care.
• The only foods she hasn't liked so far have been green beans and broccoli.  She loves carrots, zucchini, avocado, and all fruits.  
• She has a very distinct personality.  We've decided that she is exactly like me.  She can be very independent, but when she wants attention she will let you know and she better get it.  
• Most of her day is spent chasing Michael around or playing quietly with her toys.  
• She enjoys singing, especially wheels on the bus which she dances to.
• Her favorite toys are Michael's cars, legos, dinosaurs, and tools.  She has never really liked baby toys unless they make a lot of noise.  She adores stuffed animals.  She sits and hugs them for a really long time.  
• Her hair is growing at a rate of 1/8" per month, but it is growing.  It will probably stay bright blond, but we're not sure if it's curly or not.  
• She responds to peanut, bean, and stinker as much, if not more, than her name.
• Her attention span is ridiculous.  If we turn on an interesting kids show she could watch the whole thing.  She can play with the same toy for a long time if nothing distracts her.  However, when Michael's around it seems to be that of a normal baby/toddler.
• She is still adorable and gets away with far too much.

Because the best birthday pictures are of kids covered in chocolate...

She looks at her hand

She eats her hand

She enters a chocolate coma

She emerges victorious!