Yay, Santa!

Babies....Babies.....I have more babies and a stroller to push them in around the house. I now have a bed where I can put them to sleep. I love my babies! Christmas Day I pushed them around saying "Yay, Santa!!"

And, blocks and books and a Princess Castle and Mickey's Clubhouse.

I also got an easel that I can do "coloring".

Yep, I'm a little spoiled but I'm not a spoiled brat so it's okay. It's just shows how many people love me! And, I love them in return!

"Princess - I got to see the Princesses"

I found my favorite place in the world. It used to be the park swingset....not anymore. Did you know there's this place with rides and music? Mickey and Minnie live there and so do the Princesses.

It was raining all day but it was sooooo much fun! I got to ride around with Pooh on his big adventure and even Dumbo let Mommy, Grandma and me ride up in the sky with him.

There were pirate ships and boats that took us around the "small world". I even got to meet the Princesses. I gave them hugs and we were able to take pictures together. But, the best was kissing Minnie on the nose. I love Minnie Mouse!

Boy, was I exhausted after all of that adventure. Though, I can't wait to visit next time.

Happy Thanksgiving

Thank you for the opportunity to be your parent. Although, you are a

Handful at times we wouldn't trade you for

Anything in this world.

No, has become your favorite word as of late, but

Know that Mommy and Daddy Love you with all of our hearts.

S0, give Hugs and Kisses and we are all Thankful you are a part of our lives.

Dunedin Celtic Festival

Listening to music....playing with my friend, Bodie and his mama, Hollie......what more can I ask for?

Well, I guess Mommy can ask for me to behave cuz we had to leave early since I never took my nap and got grumpy. Maybe next year she can enjoy the show, too!

Just Having Fun!

I talk non-stop now and most everyone can understand what I am saying. Mommy and Daddy have lost count of the number of words I know and I couldn't tell you because I only count to 10. I am putting sentences together and friends actually know what I mean. It's really cool!

I have a great imagination already! I sit at my table and play "tea party" with my babies and the blocks. We have a great time together.

And, I got to bake cookies with Mama recently! That was way fun!!

Monkey See is Monkey Do

Happy Halloween! I got to dress up as Monkey and play with Mommy and Daddy! It was hot outside so I didn't want to really wear the hat but I had my small "pumkin" and got candy as I walked around with my friends. I don't really understand but it was really cool!

Learning and Growing

I am constantly learning and growing. How many 19-20 month old toddlers can count to 10 and know their colors? My vocabulary is growing exponentially and recognition skills are becoming more and more prevalent. I continue to adore books and you can find me surrounded by many on a daily basis. I have discovered that one of my favorite things is placing one object inside of another. Daddy needs to learn to check his boots before putting them on because I am always placing various toys and my bippy in the toe. Mommy and Daddy keep saying that they are "in trouble" because I pick up new things so quickly. But, I don't think they would have it any other way.

Bonding with Nature

Mommy and Daddy took me hiking at Brooker Creek Preserve. We had a picnic and then went hiking one of the trails. I discovered a leaf hanging from a spider's web - it just appeared to be floating in air. We walked across bridges and looked at the creek.

There was also this museum with lots of buttons and drawers for me to play with. Mommy also took me through a burrow display that was 5 times larger than real life. It was dark so I wasn't too sure about things but Mommy and Daddy were there so it was okay.

It was definitely a tiring day. I was worn out!

First Trip to the Zoo

We went to the Zoo for the first time. Animals are "just not my thing" at this point. They are okay but not so exciting! I did get to pet a goat and I enjoyed seeing the squirrel monkeys swing around their enclosure but the rest of the animals were just sleeping. It could be that it was sooo hot outside that they just wanted to be in the shade.

I can't blame them there because I sure wanted to continue playing in the kid's water spout area.......I also did have fun riding the dragon on the carousel. It could be fun to go back and visit the creatures when it is cooler outside or maybe when it's feeding time and they are moving around.

Day at the Beach

Daddy and I spent the day at the beach with Amanda. I absolutely love the water and wanted to swim constantly. What a fun day!

Favorite Things

Swimming in the pool and puppy dog kisses
Big metal pots I can beat with my fists'es
Shiny colored beads on long plastic strings

These are a few of my favorite things

Pink colored ponies and fruit in a cup

Music and opera and going way up

Beating on a piano that goes ping ping

These are a few of my favorite things

Dolls and stuffed animals I can carry around
Funny music toys that always make a sound

Playing with the phone as it goes brrring

These are a few of my favorite things

When I don't want to sleep

Which makes my eyes sting

When I'm feeling sad

I simply want to be held

And then I simply don't feel so bad

18 Months and Growing Daily.....

I cannot believe that I am 18 months old now. Time passes much too quickly but at the same time not quick enough for me. I want to be a "big girl" and do everything for myself. I am absolutely frustrated when things don't go my way or I can't get people, the dog, the wall, toys, whatever to do what I want and I bang my head into the floor or the wall. This worries Mommy and Daddy as they are afraid that I will hurt myself....but the doctor assured them that I am absolutely normal and just went into the "terrible-two's" early. They have great hopes that this means I will come out of it early as well.....I haven't quite decided if I will or won't harass them that much longer (I still have time!)

I am absolutely perfect....in the 55th percentile for height and 50th percentile for weight at just under 32 inches tall and 24 lbs 11 oz. I didn't even have to have shots at the doctor this time so it was awesome.

I am also learning that I am not in control of everything. Mommy and Daddy love me bunches and bunches but they won't let me do absolutely everything I want. They are wanting me to go to sleep on my own and this just plain stinks. I don't want to miss anything that might happen after I go to sleep. I've been known to cry and scream to try and get my way but I think Mommy and Daddy have caught onto me now and don't just pick me up and help me stay awake.

My vocabulary is improving daily. I speak my own "Aelynese" language but for the most part I think everyone understands me. Although, I do not like the word "NO". This is my least favorite word to hear but I am learning to say it which definitely aggravates Mommy and Daddy.

I adore books and probably have Daddy or Mommy read me 20-30 books a day. Sometimes, it's the same book repeatedly but that's okay. Of course, Mommy tried to hide my "Teletubbie's Big Hug" book that my friend's mom left at our house (Mommy thinks his mommy wanted to get rid of it) but I found it and bring it out daily. It's so much fun to see the Teletubbies go into this imaginary door. I don't think Mommy and Daddy are reading it exactly right cuz the story constantly changes but I get to open the pop-up door so it's okay. I also enjoy my "Spot the Dog" books and anything "Dr. Suess".

I have many friends and continue to develop my own "goofball, nerdy" personality as Mommy and Daddy says. I mean, come on....the SyFy channel is the best (with the exception of the Baby Channel and "Harry the Bunny", of course.)

Happy Independence Day!

"Marching in the Parade with the New World Celt Kids"

She is celebrating her own independence....or rather struggling for her independence. She wants to do everything for herself but she still wants you around to see it. This is absolutely the most fascinating, yet difficult, time thus far. As we have learnt, we need to let her learn to do things for herself and not help her when she struggles. We ask "do you want help?" and she will answer "yes" or "no" appropriately.

"At Aunt Amber and Uncle Brian's 4th of July Deckwarming Party"

She loves being around friends and family! She adores the lights and fireworks! The only thing she is afraid of at this point is the shopvac. It's not so much a fear as a "what the heck is that???"

My Beautiful Dress

My German Grandma (Michael's Mom) gave me this dress for Christmas. You couldn't have asked for a more beautiful dress nor a more beautiful baby girl.

"Total Personality"

"I'm thinking of something to do"

"Yay, Me"

Pssghetti Dinner

I made a mess....

I made a mess...

It was fun to create a tomato sauce sculpture on my face

It tasted yummy....

It tasted good...

I can't wait till Mommy feeds me this again

Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Knights of Camelot: [singing]
We're knights of the Round Table, we dance whene'er we're able.
We do routines and chorus scenes with footwork impec-cable,
We dine well here in Camelot, we eat ham and jam and Spam a lot.

We're knights of the Round Table, our shows are for-mi-dable.
But many times we're given rhymes that are quite un-sing-able,
We're opera mad in Camelot, we sing from the diaphragm a lot.

In war we're tough and able, Quite in-de-fa-ti-gable.
Between our quests we sequin vests and impersonate Clark Gable
It's a busy life in Camelot

Knights of Camelot:

I have to push the pram a lot.

First Words

She is not going to be a shy child and she is definitely not going to be a quiet one either. Her words are coming like crazy in the past few weeks.

Favorites are:

"What's this?" or more like "what dis?"- pointing at something and this is a constant with everything from an animal to something on the television to an art piece and anything in-between.

Dog

Cat

Mama

Daddy

Bottle - closer to "baba" but clearly understood

Fish

Frog

Book - and she brings us a book to read

Picture

Up

Yes

No

But, mostly she knows exactly what you mean most of the time and will answer your question with a yes...

Do you want a drink?

Yes

Or look at you like you are nuts if you point at the dog and ask if it's the cat?

It is the most amazing thing to watch her vocabulary and understanding increase with every passing week.

First Time Bowling!

Bowling, bowling, bowling

I roll the ball down the lanes

Bowling, bowling, bowling
The gutter has become from friend

Bowling, bowling, bowling
It’s time to try again

Bowling, bowling, bowling
I push the ball down the lanes

Bowling, bowling, bowling
Crash, boom go the pins

Bowling, bowling, bowling

I jump up a scream

Bowling, bowling, bowling
Hanging out with Friends

Bowling, bowling, bowling

This is so much fun!

15 Months Old and Growing Bigger

Walking....

Talking.....

Screaming....

Crying.....

Singing....

Dancing.....

Playing.....


I'm 31 inches tall and weigh 24.5 lbs.....exactly where I should be.

I have 11 teeth now.....driving mommy and daddy crazy with those 4 nasty molars coming in at the same time.

I'm a little goof.....(to which I just giggle and laugh)

I'm a little monster.....(to which I growl)

I'm a contradiction.....I play with those trucks....but I also adore playing with purses and dolls.

But mostly I just enjoy being around people.

Fun in North Florida

Visiting my friends again for Cody's High School Graduation.....

They just adore me.

If I was playing with something, Cilverlyn and Emerald would come out to play with me. When I was crawling, Emerald would get on the ground to crawl instead of walk to be at my level. They would bring me items to put in the jar and show me what to do. When I started playing with a truck, Canyon went to his room and brought me lots of other trucks to play with as well.

I feel so special....and I love them too! I can't wait to see everyone again in October, if not before.

Just Having Fun Around the House

Grandma and Grandpa Howsmon got me this horse for my birthday. It sings a little country "yee haw" song that drives daddy crazy but it's fun to push around the house.

Mommy had to get a gate recently to keep me from crawling out to the dog food bowl and enjoying a snack. I don't like my jail time at all. But, like Mommy and Daddy say, "as long as this is the only jail I ever see things will be okay." Guinness doesn't like the our new gate either :(

Earth Day 2009

Earth Day, celebrated in the US on April 22, is a day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment. I celebrated with Mommy by planting my own seedling in a pot that I can watch grow.

My First Swimming Pool.....

I now have my own little blow-up pool in the backyard. So, now when it is hot in this Florida sun I can cool myself (and mommy and daddy with my antics) in the water. I think splashing in the bath is fun but this is even better. Daddy sprays me with the hose which makes me giggle. I can even slish-splash and slip and slide in the pool and then climb out and play in dirt and get right back in the water. It's gonna be a fun summer!

Happy Easter!

Easter was a day for family. First Brunch at Grandma & Grandpa Peirson's and then dinner with Grandma & Grandpa Howsmon. I got my first Easter basket and bit the ears off my first chocolate bunny. Grandma Howsmon got me this card that sang "In your Easter bonnet, with all the frills upon it. You'll be the grandest in the Easter parade." I just loved opening the music card to dance all night long.

It was also a day to discover all the fun (and breakable) things that all my Grandparents have in their home. Grandma & Grandpa Peirson have this glass curio cabinet with lots of pretty colorful things and a mirror I can see the "baby" in behind it. Grandma & Grandpa Howsmon have pictures and candles everywhere that are fun to move around and take down from the shelves. It was a day to get into everything I possibly could. That was....and continues to be.... the absolute best!

Musically Inclined????

Do you think I could be musically inclined? It's too early to know but I absolutely adore all types of music and I dance to everything.....even TV theme songs and commercials. But, I have come to love going to Grandma and Grandpa's and playing the piano cuz then I get to make music myself. I climb around it trying reach the keys and bang away whenever I get a chance.

Can You Believe It's Been a Year???

The Dunedin Highland Games came around again. Dunedin was my first Scottish Highland Games. Last year was sooo hot, Mommy only brought me down to say "Hello" and then we went right back home. This year was an entirely different story. I played..........marched in the parade...........danced............and in general had a wonderful time with family and friends. We even ended up a Flanagan's at the end of the night for more dancing and fun.