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.