Makai's 1st year

Makai's first year of life was a roller coaster, but thank god he was too little to feel the ride. I took 12weeks off of work, so Makai was just about 3months old when I started making the daily drive back and forth from Hanford to Fresno. I moved back in with my mom for a short period of time after a few months, I depended on my mom so much at that time for her emotional and physical support with the kids. It was a rough life, but it was our life and Mike & I seemed to be able to work together and make it through it. Mike had Makai and he even kept Kaila too on his days off and came over to visit whenever he had time in between work & his newly found love "Jiu Jitsu". Makai was a joy to have around, he was such a momma's boy and still is. I nursed him until he was 13months old, it was my way of keeping him close and a reason to take him from the person holding him ;-) and of course for the nutritional value too! He got his first tooth when he was about 6months old and they started popping out after they, his teeth were huge and bright white; I'm so glad he grew into them LOL. Makai didn't talk much as a little guy, but he started walking when he was about 10months old.

A whole year had passed and we traveled quite a bit his first year. The weekend of Makai's 1st birthday, we took him camping at Henry Cowell near Santa Cruz, my sister made him Orange Cake cooked in the orange peel over the camp fire to celebrate his special day. It was a blast and of course he loved playing in the dirt. The pic attached was the funniest moment of that weekend, Makai lost his balance fell backwards and that's how he stayed probably about 5mins... he was a little goofball and still is; always trying to make everyone laugh. The weekend after Makai's 1st birthday, we went to Disneyland and my brother & his fam joined us. Makai had a birthday party at Ariel's Grotto, yes it was a princess party but what boy wouldn't want beautiful princesses giving him all the attention he deserves. He loved it and his little Mickey Mouse cake. I'll never forget Makai & his cousin Xander would not stop staring at the princesses. The weekend after that, we had a huge 1st birthday party locally with all of our friends and family... he got tons of cars, balls and clothes. He was one spoiled 1yr old, but well deserving of it :-)