Happy New Year!!!

"Ga Ga" and Pop Pop Marc are in town visiting us for New Years!! Ga Ga is staying all next week to watch you because mommy and daddy are going on a vacation. We're not even gone yet and we already miss you! :( This will be the longest that we have ever been away from you, but you'll be in good hands.

Last night we went to Auntie Jill's house for Uncle Roeland's birthday! You had the BEST time playing with Cousin Jordyn & Cousin Jaymie, and their friends!! They loved having you!!

This morning (12/31), you pretty much said a full sentence - "Look! There's da da!" It was so cute!! You're definitely talking more and more, and are using responses like "yes" and "no" more. Well, you've always said "no" very well (haha!), but you're now saying yes questions and commands. Things are getting a little bit easier in terms of communicating with you, which is GREAT!

Well, you're skyping with Aunt Heather now, so I need to make sure you haven't thrown my phone in the toilet!! Eeek! That would be BAD!

Tonight you're going to play at Skidaddles while we go out to dinner!! You're going to have a BLAST!!!

We leave for our vacation tomorrow (1/1/12). We won't get to see you in the morning because our flight leaves before you wake up, so we'll have to say goodbye to you tonight. I'm hoping you won't notice too much that we're gone, and that when we come back, it will be like we never left! Ga Ga is going to keep you in your normal routine, which will be great! We will miss you terribly and think of you every second! We love you so much, Hailey!! You be good for Ga Ga!! I want a good report! :)

Love you with all of our heart!

Waking Up in the Middle of the Night...Boo! :(

You're still 21 months old, and recently you've been waking up in the middle of the night, normally between 1-4am. :( It's strange because you're not unhappy, but you will wake up crying to let me know you're awake. When I go in there, you usually are standing up, with your cup. You hand the cup to me and say "mulk." :) I pick you up and take you downstairs, get you some milk and then you go right back to bed. Not sure how to keep that belly full of yours. You're still not eating very much - we might just have to do Pediasure drinks at night or something.

Communicating Feelings

So, you're 21 months old, and for the first time, you were able to communicate a feeling of pain. On 12/20/11, you were grabbing at your belly and saying, "ow! ow!" When I had picked you up from Skidaddles, the girls said that your last 2 diapers were diarrhea. :( When we got home, you appeared to be in pain, but came over to me and I could actually tell (because you told me) that your tummy hurt! I can't wait until you can tell me more. Makes me so sad when you're in pain and I don't know what's wrong.

21 Months!!!

Amidst all of my craziness with wrapping Chanukkah presents, I forgot to blog on Monday, your 21st month of being alive!!!!!!!!!!!! Happy 21 month birthday!!!!!

You are doing more and more each day it seems. I believe you have nearly 16 teeth, if not 16. I think we're just waiting on the back molars to come thru - god help us all!!!!! You are definitely communicating a lot more. I can almost understand most things that you're saying. When you want milk (which you pronounce as "muck"), you just say "muck." Lately you have been going into the fridge, when open, and grabbing what you think is milk - which has been a half gallon of apple cider! The container looks the same as milk, so I'm assuming that's why you're grabbing that. You have been asking for your "friends" in the ipad by name, especially Robby the Robot and Tom the Cat!

We're still able to get about 2-3 hours in a nap per day, which is GREAT! However; you are struggling to take naps at Skidaddles. I'm sure there is just so much going on that it's difficult to fall asleep. Lately you have been really fighting it, and today actually (12/13/11), you woke up screaming. I think you've done this a few times before, and Miss Becki said that it could be from a growth spurt. Eeek! I don't want you to grow. I want you to stay little forever!!!!!!

I've been picking up more and more Chanukkah presents for you. I really need to stop!! I got you a new baby that makes kissing sounds, and a new toothbrush with Dora and Diego on it! I hope you like it!

Well, I just put you to sleep (I hope you're able to fall asleep). Sleep well baby girl!!

Love you!

Fist Pumping??

So, daddy taught you a new "trick." You can now fist pump! He says, "Hailey, fist pump!" and you put your fist out, and hit his. It's quite lovely - haha!

Cannot believe you're going to be 21 months in just a few days, which means that you're only 3 months away from be a 2 year old!!!!!!!!!!!!! CRAZINESS!!! I'm working on your 2nd birthday party already. I'm not sure of the theme yet because you are in all these different phases - Elmo, Diego, Babies, etc. Just not sure what to do! I'm highly considering having your party on a Sunday so that it can be at Skidaddles! I've already requested that Miss Tammy & Miss Lauren be your party hostesses!! :)

Let's see...in the last month or so, you have learned new body parts (knees, elbows, hair, etc), and are saying all sorts of stuff. You still say "NO!" all of the time, but lately...the past week or so, daddy and I have noticed that you are saying "yes," too. AND, you're saying "yes" to things that you actually want, so I think that you do, for the most part, know the different between yes and no. We are still struggling to listen, but I'm certain that comes with the territory of being a toddler!

Well, it's a little after 9pm, so we need to get you to bed or you'll be a nightmore in the morning!!!! :) Love you!!

POOPIE IN THE POTTY!!!

It's your 2nd Thanksgiving and your GrAndi, "Pop Pop" and Aunt Heather are all here visiting you!!!!! Last night we had a terrific feast which I made - woo woo!!! And then I noticed you were kind of "pushing" in he corner, so I swooped you up and put you on your potty seat in the bathroom. Took a few minutes, but eventually you went POOPIE IN THE POTTY!!!!!! Aunt Heather and I were actually in the room, and right as you were pushing, GrAndi had run out quickly but came rushing back when we started screaming and clapping!! Then daddy and "Pop Pop" came up! I took a picture (haha!) and sent it to "Ga Ga" (Grandma Betsy!)

P.S.
I've noticed that when we Facetime my parents, you always seem to say "Pop Pop," so I'm assuming that you're name for Grandpa! AND, Grandma Betsy said that your cousin, Shayna, has named her "Ga Ga," so that's what we'll call her, too! :)

So thankful for you...OH, and so thankful that you took nearly a 4 hour nap yesterday so I could prepare dinner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2nd Thanksgiving!!

So, you're 2nd Thanksgiving is quickly approaching. All week at Skidaddles you've been making turkey-themed art projects. I love it!!! Tomorrow you might even get to eat Turkey for lunch!!! You definitely will have turkey on Thursday when mommy makes her very first turkey...EVER!!!!!!!!!!

GrAndi, Grandpa (who I think you've been calling "Pop Pop") and Aunt Heather all come in tomorrow night! They can't wait to see you.

It's really windy right now! I hope it doesn't wake you. You woke up suddenly last night screaming bloody murder!!! Not sure if you have some more teethies coming through or what!

Sleep well!!

So Lovable!

I forgot to blog earlier in the week, but when I picked you up on Tuesday (11/15/11), your night time teacher, Miss Tammy, came over to me and said that she loves you more and more everyday, just like her own. She also thanked me for sharing you with her! Makes me feel good that when I'm away at work during the day, you're with people who love you just like I do...well, no one could love you like I do...just makes me feel good.

Last night (11/16/11), we went to play with your friends, Bailey & Brooklyn. You seriously had the BEST time! You and Bailey play soooo well together. You two were twirling and giggling, and then when we had to say goodbye, you, Bailey & Brooklyn had a 3-way hug/kiss. It was so cute - I have it on video!

Happy 20 Month Birthday!!!

Today you are 20 months old!!!! We had tumbling this morning, and you really didn't want to listen - ha! Imagine that...a 20 month old that didn't want to listen! Your friend, Mady, was SOOOO excited to see you when we walked into the studio. She ran right upto you! You know what? Her 3rd birthday party and her brother's 1st birthday party is next Saturday! It will be SO much fun!!!!

Oh this was sooooo funny! I was emptying the dishwasher and mistakingly left my phone on the couch. All of a sudden you came running in and had Facetimed Grandpa Howard! It was sooo funny that you did that all by yourself!

I've noticed over the past week or so that you really like to count 1, 2, 3 so I pretty much count everything we do! :) I was lucky enough to videotape you counting your chickadees and I sent it to your grandmas and daddy! You're soooo smart!!! If only we could be at all interested in using the potty and cleaning up our toys!

Tomorrow night we are going to play with Bailey and Brooklyn again!! I'm not sure if we'll go there again, or if they'll come here or if we'll meet somewhere like the mall. Either way, I know you'll have a blast!

Okay...just gave you a bath, so it's time for "ny ny!" Sweet dreams!!!! Love you!

Kisses to Grandpa Howard & GrAndi!

Last night (11/7/11), we Facetimed with Grandpa Howard and GrAndi. You showed them how you know your head, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, belly, and put your hands up. You also gave them kisses - many kisses, actually! We are all so proud of you!!!

This morning, daddy sent me a message saying that you and he had breakfast together at your princess table! How cute!!!!! Maybe you guys will have a tea party!

Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes...

We had another FUN-FILLED weekend. On Friday, I figured out that you know 8 body parts!!! I was changing you when you woke up Friday morning, and just asked you to point to the body parts that I was saying and you did it!!! You didn't really know mouth at that time, but learned it quickly. SO, at 19 months, you're able to point to your head, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, belly, hands and feet. I think your favorite body part is your belly. You lift your shirt up, and giggle. It's so funny!

On Saturday, we took you to tumbling. You had a blast, as usual. You also got your first birthday party invitation of the year. It's Mady's 3rd and Lucas's 1st birthday party on 11/19/11. Can't wait!! Saturday night, after we got a new car (YAY!!!), I took you to play with my friend Kayla's, kids, Bailey & Brooklyn. You had a BLAST!!!!!!! They have so many toys and you just had a ball. This was so cute, too - when we were getting ready to leave, I asked you to go give Bailey a hug/kiss, and you did!!!! It was the cutest thing in the world. You are such a sweet girl. You sometimes give me kisses (mostly hugs), but man, if I ask you to go up to daddy and give him a hug/kiss, you're already hugging him before I finish asking! You love your daddy sooooooo much!

Saturday night we had to turn back our clocks which is great for us, but not so much for kiddos!!! LUCKILY, it didn't affect you and you just slept, and slept and slept!! (THANK YOU!!)

On Sunday, we took you to Barleycorn's for the Bill's game! You didn't really nap at all on Sunday (mnaybe that was from the time change), but you lasted about the first half. Everytime people clapped, you clapped. It was so cute!

This morning (11/7/11), when I dropped you off at Skidaddles, you wanted no part of it unless I stayed with you. You hugged my legs (which I secretly loved). I had to go, though, so I had to pick you up, hug and kiss you and then I gave you to Miss Nikki. You cried this morning, it made me so sad!!!! Hopefully you felt better after a few minutes. Can't wait to see you after work!!!!!!!!!!!

2nd Halloween!!

Just realized that I am really slacking in this blogging thing!!!! It's been about 2 weeks since my last blog! Time to catch up!

Let's see...you're definitely chattier and chattier as the days go on. You are giving more hugs and now kisses on command (well, mostly on command). When you Skype, you like to give kisses by putting your face to the screen (and sometimes licking it - haha!). You are definitely starting to repeat more and more, so we need to be SUPER careful about what we say around you! :)

Over the weekend, you had a Halloween party at Studio Dee! You had a blast, especially eating your cookie and cakepop! Yesterday (Halloween), you had a Halloween party at Skidaddles. We brought treats for your friends, and a platter of treats for your teachers!

Last night we went trick-or-treating. You were a beautiful butterfly fairy. It was a little chilly out, so we modified your costume by putting pink sweatpants on and a long sleeve pink shirt underneath your leotard. It was sooooooo cute! We walked up our street, went to Donna's house, and then back to our house.


You were carrying around a little Elmo basket. Though it didn't match, it was SOOOO cute!

Parent-Teacher Conference

Tonight we had you 1st parent-teacher conference with Miss Lauren! Basically you're absolutely on target, and actually advanced for your age in gross motor skills. Miss Lauren had a portfolio of some artwork that you had done, and some pictures. She told us that you have a friend named Jack who is almost 2. We need to meet this Jack fella!!! :)

After your conference, we went to get sushi and soba noodle bowls. You had some rice, egg and soba noodles! :)

When we got home, you were very cuddly with daddy - he loves when you give him hugs, as do I! Now we're going to Skype with Aunt Heather!!!!!

Can't Believe How Much You Understand!

At just barely 19 months old, I can't believe how much you already understand. It's really like you nearly understand everything I'm saying, and can respond with action, but not yet with clear words.

So, you still have this yucky cough! Daddy is convinced that we all have bronchitis, which is highly possible. I had you use the inhaler a few times this afternoon and evening. I hope that will help break up some of your cough. If worse comes to worse, we'll go to the urgent care. Today you've been coughing less, but when you do, man it sounds bad! :( You didn't sleep very well last night. You woke up coughing about 1am. I went in there and held you for a little bit. I thought maybe if I brought you back into our room, you'd fall asleep, but nope. You got your second wind. It was kind of funny because you crawled over to daddy's pillow and said "that's daddy!" You woke him up! Haha! I ran to get you a bottle, and you slept another 6-7 hours! :)

Just gave you some cough meds. Hopefully you'll sleep tonight!

Love you!

3rd Cuspid & "Put Your Hands Up!"

Just before we took you to Skidaddles so mommy and daddy could have date night, I noticed that another little white point was coming through - this is on your top right. At least it seems to be coming in with the top left one! Now it's just that bottom left we're waiting on, which I imagine will be any day now.

After we picked you up, well, first let me brag a little. When we picked you up, one of the girls at Skidaddles said "...She is just so cute. She really is beautiful" of course in reference to you!!!!!!!! We already know all this about you, but it's so nice to hear from other people. :) We stopped for ice cream - Pumpkin ice cream! You liked it, but only wanted a few tastes before sipping on the rest of your milk. :) YOU LOVE MILK!!! Haha! Guess it could be worse, right??? When we got home, I was playing around with you, and took your hands with mine and raised them in the air. I was giggling and said "put your hands up" and soon after, you followed!!!! It's so cute! I think you might have started learning that in tumbling class because before we do a somersault, you have to put your hands way in the air, then squat down, put your hands in the air and tuck your head down.

I love that you're really starting to understand commands. One of my favorites is when you offer us food. Yesterday you were offering daddy cheese crackers, but he didn't want anymore. SO...we said, "give it to bunny" and you did just that! I can't remember if I mentioned this in my previous entries, but you're starting to refer to Honey as her own name..."Honey" rather than "di di." You still say both, but it's so funny to hear you said "Honey!"

You still have a nasty cough, in fact, it almost sounds worse! I hope it's not Croup! We all actually have bad coughs, but it's easier for us because we can push through it, or take tylenol, etc. I've been giving you Honey Elixir, Night-Time Cough Syrup and/or Advil because you've been a little warm. It's funny, I have to call everything "honey" to get you to take medicine. Maybe that's why you're saying "honey" so much! :)

Hoping you sleep well, and feel better in the morning. If this cough continues, I'm going to have daddy take you to see the doctor on Tues.

Love you!

In & Out of your Booster Seat!

I forgot to add this yesterday, but yesterday I noticed that you were able to climb into your booster seat at the table! Normally when I put you in there and strap you in, you can't be in there for more than a few minutes, but I think you like it more now that you put yourself in there and can take yourself out.

We really have to watch you...you're all over the place. Someone I know actually had to put their kitchen table chairs on the table because their child was climbing on the chairs and onto the table. You have done this before!!! Eeek! WILD CHILD!!!!!!

19 Months Old!!!!

Today you are 19 months old! As I always say...I CANNOT BELIEVE IT!!! Tonight we skyped with Aunt Heather, and guess what!?!??! You blew your first kiss on command!!!!! It was so cute. You put your hand to your mouth and made the pucker sound! You did it a few times! I bet Aunt Heather was so excited!!!! And then when we had to go, you walked away and waved bye bye!!!! It was so cute!

You just took a nice hot bath, and are now in bed! I'm hoping your cough goes away soon - no fun!!!!

Sweet dreams birthday girl!! LOVE YOU!

2nd Cuspid Tooth & a Blogging Decision!!

Well, days shy of your 19 month birthday, low and behold, another cuspid tooth seems to be rearing itself. This time, it's on your top left, which is making you mucho fussy!!! Last night, I heard you wake up a few times, but then you went right back to sleep...I couldn't though. :( I was up every 15-20 minutes or so because I feared you'd wake up again.

Hopefully this tooth, and the other 2 will come thru soon!!! I can't tell if it would be easier for all 4 to come in at once, or to do this staggering thing that your teeth are doing (and most teeth do). :)

I have been toying with continuing your blog, or ending it at 18 months. I can't get myself to stop blogging. I have this guilt thing keeping me from stopping, but I know at some point I have to stop - I can't blog about you forever...or can I??? My decision RIGHT NOW is to blog until your 2nd birthday!! I think you're going to be doing new and amazing things between now and then, and I want to document it all!!!!

Grandpa Howard Comes to Visit!!!!

After tumbling on Saturday (10/8), we went to pick up Grandpa Howard at the airport. He's in town for business on Wednesday, but wanted to come visit you for the weekend!!! We went to lunch at yummy Skyline, where you, as always, threw cheese on the ground! Ha! Then we went to Kinman Farms, and you got to pet the animals, go on your 1st hayride, and pick out a pumpkin!! You had a blast!!!!
After the hayride, we came back to the house and you took a GREAT nap and woke up when daddy got home! You were so excited to see him!!

You have REALLY enjoyed having Grandpa at the house. You LOVE to climb on him and give him random hugs. I know he LOVES it!!!

"You're Special!"

Today when I picked you up from Skidaddles, Miss Tammy brought you out to me. She is so sweet. Her mother, who also works there sometimes, just LOVES you. Miss Tammy says that whenever her mom comes in, usually on Tuesdays and Thursdays, she, you and Miss Tammy do a GROUP HUG!!! Any way, she brought you to me and said that if ever there is a time that we need a babysitter and Miss Lauren isn't available, she would "love, love, love" to babysit you! She said that you are just so special.

I love when people say such sweet things to me about you. It really makes me feel good because I'm sure that there are kiddos that they wouldn't offer to babysit!! :) Skidaddles ladies might end up being our extended family!!

Okay, I just put you to sleep, or so I thought. I hear you chattering about who knows what! GO TO SLEEP LITTLE MAMA!!!

Love you!

1st Cuspid Tooth!!!

So, you're very 1st cuspid (incisor) tooth is coming through and things are a little rough right now. Soon after your 18 month check up, I noticed a rash near your private area. It suddenly turned to diaper rash with a yeast infection!!!!! You started running a fever about 5 days into having the rash, and I had to come get you early from Skidaddles. SO...I took that opportunity to bring you into Dr. Warner. She prescribed you a cream, and after a few days, things definitely seem to be looking better. Now we're waiting for your tooth to come all the way through. I hope all of your cuspid teeth aren't like that, or we're in for a rough ride of LOTS of Motrin, Baby Orajel, frozen treats and whatever else I can find!!!!!!!!

Oh, tonight (10/4) was so funny. After I picked you up from Skidaddles, we went to Kroger. Daddy knew that we were going there because I had told him, so I kind of suspected that he might meet us there. We were walking around the vegetables, and all of a sudden you were leaning, pointing and saying "there's da da!" At first I thought you were just calling random people "da da," but then I turned and sure enough, daddy was there trying to surprise us! You ratted him out!!! Haha! It was so funny!!!

Sleep tight buttercup!! I put a plug-in humidifier in tonight, so I hope it helps you sleep - you still have a little cough left.

Love you!

18 Month Check-up!

Today we went for your 18-month check up, and surprisingly, you're still 24 lbs!!! Well, you're 24lbs 10oz to be exact, and have grown to 33 inches long!!!!!!!!!! You're in the 50th percentile for weight and head circumference, and 85th percentile for height. You're tall and thin!!! Kind of a rough visit, though, because you had to get more shots. :( You got your Chicken Pox vacc, Hep A vacc and your flu shot. Luckily you only had to get 1 flu shot. Last year, the flu shot was in 2 parts. After the doctor's, we went to lunch at First Watch with my friend, Julie! She LOVED you!!! Then we went to see daddy at work so I could get my flu shot. Let me tell you...you were a much better patient that I was!!!!!!!!!

Happy 18 month Birthday!!!!!

Today is your 18 month birthday!!!!! I can't believe it - you're a year and a half!!!!!!! Where has the time gone!?

I signed you up for tumbling, which you start on Saturday!! It will be so much fun because your friend, Mady Igo, will be tumbling with you!!!!!! This will be fun for you girls, and for us mommies!!! :)

You have your 18 month check up at Dr. Warner's this Friday. I know she's going to ask me how many words you can say, so I started making a list. So far, I have you saying about 12-13 words, including one 2-word phrase. So far you are saying:
* Mama/Mom/Mum/Mummy/Mommy
* Dada/Daddy
* Hi/Hey
* "Dy" for "Bye"
* "Di Di" for doggy
* No - you say this VERY WELL (haha!)
* "Let Go" (for let's go)
* Look
* "Daydi" for baby
* Mine
* Oh
* Brush - that was just today

You had kind of a rough day, though. I got my very first call from Skidaddles - the dreaded phone calls! A little boy had bitten you 3 times!!!!!!!
Poor thing. The incident reports said that you and another little boy were playing, and the little boy wanted your toy, so he started biting you. :( You have 3 noticeable bite marks on your hand/arm. The rest of the day you were kind of whiny and upset, but worst of all, you didn't really want me. :( Hopefully you'll wake up in a better mood.

Love you!!!!!

MINE!

You're JUST about 18 months old and we have recently entered the phase of "mine" and not sharing - eek! I was hoping we'd by-pass this one, but nope!! I took you on a playdate yesterday (9/8/11) with my friends, Callie & Kayla. You played with Chloe, Kian, Bailey & Brooklyn. You had a GREAT time, especially in Bailey's & Brooklyn's playroom! We SO need a playroom - you have toys galore!!!! While playing, though, I noticed that Kian tried to play with the phone that you were playing with and you were not having it - you pulled it away, and I believe you said "mine!" Hopefully you can learn to share at Skidaddles!!!

Tonight we're going on another playdate to see Mady & Lucas! You haven't seen them since your 1st birthday!!! It will be so much fun!!!!! We're also having dinner there because daddy is in Tennessee with his friends! He will be home tonight at midnight!! Yay!!!

You did SO well at Mady's & Lucas's house!
You and Mady had so much fun! You both were being so goofy - running from couch to chair, and chair to couch, and falling on the couch together. It was so funny. We definitely need to have more playdates. I think we're going to try to go to the zoo for Halloween festivities in October!!!

"Ohhhhhhh" chant

Tonight we watched UC destroy this school called Austin Peay State. Everytime UC scored, which was almost like every 5-10 minutes, we all clapped...including you! You were so excited!! Then we started doing the "Ooooh! Ooooh! Ooooh! [clap clap clap clap] UC" chat, and you then started doing it, too. It is so funny how much you understand now, and are imitating just from watching us.

Dy Dy = Bye Bye???

Grandma Betsy & Pop Pop Marc came to visit you last night!!! We met them at The Cheesecake Factory around 8:45pm and to my surprise, you were FABULOUS at dinner!!!! I thought you would have a big meltdown, but nope, you were so well-behaved!!! We got home around 11:00pm, and you were WIDE AWAKE!!!!!! You continued playing until daddy got home from work at midnight.

While you were playing, it was so funny, Grandma Betsy and I started saying, "bye bye" and because you can't quite say your "b" sound, you said "dy dy" and waved to us smiling. It was the funniest thing because it sounds like you're teling us to die, but obviously that's how you say "bye."

"Sad" at Skidaddles

Yesterday (8/30), when I picked you up from Skidaddles, your teacher, Miss Laura, came out and said that you were being "resistant" at nap time, and not wanting to go to sleep. I was so sad to hear this, but I'm sure it was just one of those days because a few days before, you took a 2 hour nap. Miss Laura asked if you had a special blanket or stuffed animal that you like to sleep with, but really, you don't have a specific one that you HAVE to sleep with - unlike your daddy who had "shee shee," a special yellow blanket. I actually had a piece of his "shee shee" sewn into my wedding dress.

When I got home, I looked at your progress report, and for the first time, they had circled "sad," but also "smiley." 99% of the time, you're "happy," "chatty," and/or "smiley." Hopefully you just had a rough day yesterday, and it's not a sign of things to come.

1st Week at Skidaddles (full-time)

Well, today is technically your last day of your first full week at Skidaddles, and you've done great!!! You're having a little bit of separation anxiety when I first drop you off, but Miss Becki says that it doesn't take long at all for you to settle down.

Every day you have come home with art projects, which I love!!! I'm going to need a storage container for everything! :) Yesterday (8/25) when I picked you up, one of your teachers, Miss Laura, said that she just loves having you in class. She says you're so sweet, and took everyone's shoes off! Haha!!

You had so much energy yesterday when I brought you home. You were literally were running circles around the island. Luckily, I had my video camera out and got it on film!!!! I started chasing you with the camera around the island, and you just giggled!!!!

You know what we need to work on, though??? When I say "no," that means NO! :) Haha! Guess I'm expecting too much out of you right now. :)

Skidaddles - Full time!

Today (8/23/11) is the start of you going to Skidaddles full-time (3 days per week). Well, this week you're going 4 days a week because of our schedules, however; most of the time you'll just be going 3 days/week.

When I dropped you off today, you again clung to my leg and just cried. :( It broke my heart, and I sat in my car and cried. Miss Becki says that you'll get used to this in a couple of weeks. But...will I???? I hate starting my day off crying after dropping you off. Hoping it gets easier!

Uncle Max & Aunt Kinneret's Wedding!

This past weekend, we went to Detroit for Uncle Max & Aunt Kinneret's wedding! Traveling is always hard because on these long rides, you rarely will take a long enough nap, which means you're kind of fussy. However; overal, you were pretty good this weekend.

You got to play with your cousin, Shayna. You both had matching outfits the entire weekend. It was so cute. You also got to meet a lot of your family, like cousins. However; most have seen you grow up via facebook, which is nice. Everyone felt like they knew you even if it was the first time they had met you.

Having the formal pictures taken was a bit rough - perhaps moreso on me. Thank goodness for GrAndi & Grandpa Howard! They chased you around in between pictures, which really helped me out. I'm hopeful that though you were really fussy during pictures, that the photographers were able to get some good ones.

We had a babysitter for you on the night of the wedding. You took to her immediately, and had a GREAT time!!!

On the way home, it was so funny. We were trying to teach you to blow kisses. You got it a few times. I'm noticing that you're doing a lot more immitation, so we REALLY have to becareful about we say and do.

Understanding Commands - 17mo

Sunday night, after we got back from our day trip to Indianapolis (to see Auntie Jill and Cousin Jaymie in the hospital), daddy was talking to in the car and asked you to say "hi da da" and you repeated it perfectly. He then asked you to say "hi ma ma" and you did. It is so funny that as long as you know the word, if we ask you to say something, you will.

Yesterday, I did the same thing at dinner and had you say, "hi da da," "hi ma ma," and "hi di di." You did it perfectly! Ah, I love hearing your little voice!

Someone Likes the Slide!!!

Happy 17th Month Birthday!!!!! Today we celebrated your 17th month of life (well, outside of my belly) going to the Boone County Arboretum, Skyline Chili, and then to Florence Mall where you played at the indoor playground!

As you can see in the picture, you LOVED the slide at the arboretum!
I can't believe we had never gone there before. I think Michelle has taken you there, but wow, what a find! As long as I'm guarding the entrance, I can pretty much just let you loose!!!!
You also had fun at the mall playground, but there was a wide open exit which you found quickly, and RAN!!! When I caught you, you threw quite the hissy, so we left. You can't scream like that in public places...nope!

Eye!

I tried to blog yesterday (8/10), but the site was down!! I'm totally convinced that you know your belly and your eye. :) Like in previous entries, when I ask you to show me your belly, you lift up your shirt or dress, it's so funny. I noticed earlier in the week that you would point to your eye, or my eye and said "EYE." I thought maybe it was just a fluke, but nope, you did it again yesterday - a couple of times! You are soooo smart! I don't know that most kids know body parts this early. Granted you only know a couple, I can't even believe you are able to identify them! I LOVE IT!

Maybe we'll try to facetime with Grandpa Howard later today. He's having a rough time right now (medically). I'm certain a little facetime with his girl (and some pain meds) will do the trick!!!!!!!! :)

On my way to come get you - you're playing at Skidaddles right now!!! My favorite part of the day is picking you up! LOVE IT!

Belly, Eyes and Giving Up Naps???

This morning, we went downstairs, and you had scrambled eggs and oranges. Then you wanted to play. I have noticed lately that you point a lot to my eyes and yours. Today was the first time that I think I really heard you say "eye" when pointing to either my eyes or your eyes. You absolutely know what belly is because when I say "show me your belly" you lift up your shirt (or dress), I then tickle you and you laugh hysterically! LOVE THAT!

I'm wondering if you're at that point where you're giving up your naps, at least one of them. Up until now, you really have been a faithful 2-nap a day kinda gal, but these past couple of days, you pretty much have either refused to nap at all, or nap 2x. You're currently in your crib, kicking and screaming REFUSING to nap! Perhaps we can try again this afternoon.

Alright - guess it's up you go for another few hours or so!

Understanding New Commands

So, you're still 16 months (yay!), and every day it seems that you're understanding more and more.

Yesterday I gave you a sippy cup of milk. You put it down, and then went to play. A few minutes later, I asked you to go to your milk, and you did! :) Now whether or not you followed my direction, or just at that same moment wanted a drink, I'll never know! :) For now, we'll say that you understand.

Today, I asked you to find your baby, and you looked around, and then found her!! :)

Today was a bit rough - NO NAP!!!!!! We just got back from the movies, and picked you up from Skidaddles. Without a nap, you apparently did GREAT!!!! You were so excited when we picked you up, which I always love to see...but you know what??? When we dropped you off, tonight was the first time that you didn't look back at us. The girl opened the door for you to go back to the busy bee's room, and you just went in - never turned around to see us, or reach for us. :( Made me a little sad, but daddy says that you're getting used to go there - which also makes me sad!!!!!

I just put you down, so hopefully you're able to fall asleep. I can't imagine that you're not tired. You honestly have no slept a wink today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

New Words/Sounds/Behaviors

Oh the joys of a 16 month old!

You are certainly picking up new "things" every day including...

* the sound "ga" and "go"
* "mommy" is VERY pronounced and you pretty much scream it! (but I love it!)
* growling - I think I started this by growling at you one day, you mimicked me.
* you're trying to say "baby" but it's not quite there, but when you walk upstairs, you always say what you think is "baby," look up and point at the pictures of you as a baby.

Let's see...new behaviors/comprehension at 16 months...
* When I say "where's your belly"? you will sometimes lift up your shirt (or dress!) and show me your belly.
* You don't know your facial parts yet, but you're constantly pointing at your nose, or my nose, and your ears.
* Running around the island is a new thing.
* Wearing my shoes is new, too -

Funny Things at 16 mo!

Forgot to blog about last night (7/30). Daddy and I went out to the movies, so we took you to play with your friends at Skidaddles. When we picked you up, you were WIDE awake and SOOOOOOOO excited to see us!!!! You immediately got down from the woman holding you, and ran over to the little window! Oh, it just made my night!!!!!

Lately I have noticed you really picking up on things, and starting to understand small commands. Understanding "no," "stop it," or "don't touch that" still are not registering...haha! The past few nights, I have been throwing a ball, and then I'll say "go get it" and you bring the ball back to me, and it's a little game - this goes on for a few minutes. :) When I say, "where's baby"? you will sometimes go to where your Bitty Baby is and pick her up, and sometimes pat her back. Tonight, I gave you chocolate milk, and you had put it down for a few minutes. I asked you to go over to get your chocolate milk, and you went right over to your sippy cup and got it.

New sounds - let's see..."boo," but only when I say it first - you'll repeat it. You've been growling "raaaargh!" but only when we start first - it's sooooo funny! You've been saying "di di" for months, and I'm pretty sure that's your way of saying "doggy" because when we visited Grandma Betsy & Pop Pop Marc, as soon as you saw their doggies, you screamed "di di!" I think you're trying to say baby, but it comes out sounding a little like "di di," but with a different kind of sound - hard to explain. :) When we walk up the stairs, you now point at the pictures (there are 2 framed pictures of you when you were 8 wks old), and you say the word that I believe you're trying to say for baby. Oh, and everything is still a phone :) Haha!!!

Sleeping - you're stil an amazing sleeper (knock on wood!) Today you took a 3 hour nap - you didn't take a 2nd nap, but that's a good amount of time to be sleeping especially when you woke up at 9:00am!!! Seems like you wake up late, play for an hour or so, get sleepy, take a LONG nap, play for a little bit and get sleepy again for an afternoon nap! I definitely should not complain, but it's hard to plan our day because you get so sleepy (AND FUSSY) quickly!!

Sleep tight!!!!! You get to play with Michelle & the girls tomorrow!! YAY!!!

2011 Buffalo/Toronto Trip!!

We just got back from our trip to Buffalo and Toronto. You had gotten sick a few days before, but luckily, the meds kicked in immediately and you seemed to feel much better the morning we left for Buffalo.

We did lots of fun things including swimming in Grandma's pool! We took you to a few of our favorite restaurants including Chef's!!!When you're older you'll appreciate it more - it's AMAZING!!!!!!!!!! Great Grandma Rita & Great Grandpa Harvey were with you, too, at dinner. They love you so much!!! Grandma Betsy told me that on the way home from Chef's, you were petting Great Grandpa Harvey's face - he just cannot get enough of you.





We took you out of the country for the very first time, too! We took you to Toronto. I don't know if it was a full moon, or you're allergic to the Canadian air, but you were REALLY fussy while we were there. I think it was a coincidence because the minute we put you down, you just wanted to run......EVERYWHERE! Luckily, Pop Pop Marc likes to chase you - he put you down and chased you everywhere! While in Toronto, you got to meet your Great Aunt Judy, Great Uncle Gary and Cousin Annalee and her boyfriend, Rob. They loved you!!! You also got to meet Great Aunt Judy's and Great Uncle Gary's doggies ("di di's") Louis & Vinny. They loved you, as well!


When we got back from Toronto, you were EXHAUSTED! You would not sleep a wink in the car, but the minute we got you home - you went right out...for 13 hours!!!!!!!!!!!! :) We left on Monday.





We were going to leave earlier, but Pop Pop Marc wanted to see you one more time. Great Grandpa Harvey met us, too, for lunch! We got some great pictures of you and your Great Grandpa!!!!

Sick!!!

So, I had this great plan for you to play with Callie and her kids today, but things didn't pan out that way. You woke up sounding horribly, and really warm!!!! I knew that I had to stay home with you, and take you to the doc. I waited until 8am to call Dr. Warner, and when I called, she was on vacation!!!!! SO, I took you to Urgent Care and you were seen immediately. Poor thing - you have an upper respiratory infection and bronchitis. :( You're on antiobiotics, Claritin and using the pro-air inhaler again. :( I feel so bad for you - all these different liquids. The doctor said that using the inhaler makes you more suspectible to bronchial infections. Looks like there's another thing you and daddy share. Besides you looking exactly like him, you both need inhalers. I'm hoping yours is just temporary, and you don't really develop Asthma. I though I had Asthma, but I took a test and passed. :) I'm just out of shape! Ha!

I talked to Skidaddles, and as long as you remain fever-free, you're good to go!!! Daddy will stay with you in the morning tomorrow so I can go to work, and then he'll take you to Skidaddles around 12. I'll pick you up on my way home around 5:30pm. I hope you have fun - it's music week!!!!

Couple more days and we go on vacation to Buffalo and Toronto!!! It's supposed to be hot, hot, hot!!!!!! Pool days! Yay!

Sleep well!!! I hope you feel better and wake up smiling again!! :)

xoxo

More and More Words!!

So, you're just a little over 16 months old and you are doing so much!!! Actually, the gal at Skidaddles tonight (7/16) said how smart you are for your age!!!!! :)

The past few days, I have noticed that you're definitely doing a lot more modeling our behaviors/actions/words - wish we could understand you, though! Your favorite words right now are variations of "daddy," "mommy," "di di" (we think for doggy), and just recently if we say "go go go," you say something similar. :) Oh, and of course HI & HEY! :) Oh lordy, and the whole reason for my post - you're starting to say "NO!" :( Eeeeek!! However; I will say that you were terrific at dinner tonight. We're trying to find distractions and more foods/snacks that keep you occupied!!!

You're coughing a little bit - hopefully you don't get sick!! You're going to be at Skidaddles for the first time this coming week - full time because Michelle is in Puerto Rico!!!! You've gone there about 3 times in the past week for a couple hours here and there, and they just ADORE you!!! There's this one girl there, "Miss Amanda," who loves you - she said that you're one of those perfect kids where you know they're cookin' up something. You must not have your tantrums there, which is GREAT! :)

Okay - hope you sleep well! I gave you some Ibuprofin because you're feeling a little warm!!

Love you to pieces!!!!

16 Months Old!!!

Today you are 16 months old! I cannot believe it - ha! Imagine me saying that!! You're getting soooooooooooooo big, and quite independent. Daddy told me this morning that he was trying to feed you, but you only wanted to feed yourself. Hopefully you'll still let us do some things.

Love you!!!

"Ma Ma"

It's taken a bit, but all of a sudden, you LOVE saying "ma ma" which I LOVE!!! :) You still say "da da" and "daddy" all of the time, but just recently (still at 15 months), you started saying "ma ma" and "mum" and "mummy/mommy" all of the time!! You had said "ma ma" a few months back, but seemed to only say it when you were sick or not feeling well. Now, I hear you waking up from your naps saying "mommy," "mom," "ma ma," "da da," "daddy," "mum," etc. It's so cute!!!

Tonight you're going to go play with your friends at Skidaddles because mommy and daddy are going out to dinner with some friends! You played there yesterday for a couple of hours and had a blast!!!!

More Tantrums!

So, GrAndi & Grandpa are here visiting you for the 4th of July and man have you had LOTS of temper tantrums. It makes me so sad when this happens because I don't know what you want. Everyone says it's a phase, but I don't know...I think we're at a point where we just need to limit where we go because nothing seems to soothe you when you're in your mood. In fact, I decided today that I don't think you're going to be able to be at Uncle Max & Aunt Kinneret's rehearsal dinner.

Tonight your friends, Chloe & Kian, came over to play. You and Chloe had dinner and dessert at your new big girl Princess table! Right before dessert, you must have been really excited about a cupcake because you nearly pushed Chloe. This made mommy very upset! :(

I just put you to sleep, and hoping you'll be able to sleep through the fireworks!!! They're sooooo loud!!!

Hoping for a better (tantrum-free) day tomorrow. Tantrum or no tantrum, I do love you very much! :)

15-Month Family Photo Shoot & Your Crib is a Toilet???

Today we had our first family photo shoot!!! It was kind of a disaster, but luckily, the pictures turned out great!!! We went to a place called Portrait Innovations. I was in a bad mood because we left the house late for our appointment. Daddy was frustrated because he doesn't like to do pictures, and you...you are a 15-month old crazy girl that LOVES to run around, and JUST had all of your bottles taken away from you!!! :) Put all that together, and it was an utter mess!

However; somehow through all of the chaos and frustration, I walked away with FABULOUS pictures!! :) This place was really cool. Your pictures are ready 20 minutes after your shoot!!!!

When we got home, I thought you'd take a nap immediately, but you had other plans. Normally, when I put you down for a nap, but you don't go to sleep right away, I usually go into your room and can smell the reason why! :) This time was KIND OF similar except that when I walked into your room, you were sitting pantless/diaperless in the corner of your crib, and your diaper and doodie balls were sitting in the middle of your crib!!! You had also peed in the crib, too!!!!! Grandma told me that when I was little, I used to smear doodie on the walls/bumper...you didn't do that yay!!

Let me just add that this is day 2 of NO bottles!!!!!!!!!!!! You have done REALLY great with it. This is the 2nd night that you have fallen asleep with a sippy cup. I also went out today and bought you a glow seahorse that plays lullabies. I thought that might help you go to sleep, too.

Tomorrow, we may go to visit Auntie Jill at her pool! Daddy has to study, so what better way to spend the day if we can't be at home! :)

15 month check up

Today you went for your 15-month check up. You weighed in at 23lbs and grew to 31.25 inches. Dr. Warner wants me to throw away your bottles - she told me to do that at your 12 month appt. IS SHE NUTS????????? I'm not ready to do that to you, and I know you're certainly not ready to give them up.

You had to get 2 vaccinations, and an anemia test. You're negative on Anemia - YAY!! Dr. Warner said that with the MMR vaccination, you may develop a 102-103 degree fever in about a week. She said this is normal. Hopefully you don't get this because fevers are NO fun!!

You're napping right now. Hopefully you wake up energized and ready to play!!!!

Love you!

Your 15-months Old Today!!!

Today you're 15 months old! I just cannot believe it, but it hasn't been easy...these last couple of weeks. The past 8-9 days or so you've almost entered what I am hoping is just a phase...if this is what the "Terrible Twos" are going to be like, whoosh............

Daddy had to work this weekend, but we had fun yesterday. I bought one of those blow up pools, and you had a ball.

I blew it up while you were taking a nap, and then I sat in it for an hour! It's fabulous!!! When you woke up, you got right in it, and played with your toys. Honey even jumped in!!!! Then, we went to dinner with Uncle Tim and Aunt Mandy. They love you so much...they were fighting on who would sit next to you. :) Such a lucky girl...I hope you know that.

OOOPS...I forgot to add that you also said "Ny Ny" for night night today! It was sooooo cute!!!!!! You don't really know that it's for when you go to sleep, but it's so cute when you say it!!

Maybe We'll Just Bypass the Sippy Cups!!

Last night (6/8/11), you were so funny. We have been trying to get you to transition from the bottle to sippy cups more, but man do you love that bottle!! :) You've actually done pretty well. You're now drinking chocolate milk in a sippy cup for longer periods of time, which is great, and Michelle has you drinking in sippy cups at her house, too.

Last night, daddy was drinking ginger ale out of a small square glass. You climbed up on the ottoman where it was sitting and took all the ice cubes out, and started drinking from the cup. Though you dripped all over yourself, you absolutely know what you're doing with it.

SO...maybe we'll just bypass those sippy cups and let you drink out of cups - SUPERVISED though! Ha!

Shingella

SO...the Northern Kentucky Health Department just made a new (stupid) rule...babies that are not yet potty-trained cannot be in any public pool, which means no waterbabies for us this weekend. :( I'm really sad because I was really looking forward to taking you back to swim lessons, but doesn't look like that can happen because of this disease called Shingella. It is apparently caused by poop!!! Well, better safe than sorry I suppose. Looks like mama's gonna be buying you an inflatable pool this weekend!!

On a better note, mommy's friend, Callie, came over with Kian & Chloe.
You were really quiet, which is not like you at all. Maybe you were overwhelmed, or just tired.

Oh...sidenote...I read on babycenter.com that just because you may throw temper tantrums doesn't mean you don't love me! :) I'm feeling really insecure these days as a mommy. Hoping you'll start cuddling with me again. :( I miss it!

Taste of Cincinnati & More Visits to the Zoo

Grandma Betsy had to go home on Memorial Day, but don't worry...you'll see her in a few weeks because we're driving to Buffalo in July!!! That night, we took you to the Taste of Cincinnati downtown. You got to try lots of different foods, including a YUMMY soft pretzel stick, falafel and Ocean Spray juice! You were SO good, even though is was SOOOO hot outside.

Later that week on Friday, we went to the Zoo.
I forgot to bring the stroller which was a giant disaster because you wanted to walk EVERYWHERE! You're so quick that I had to rent a stroller - thank goodness! You did great in it! We saw all sorts of animals like a giraffe, flamingos, monkeys and you even touched 2 snakes!!!!!

On Saturday, our new king-size bed was delivered. YOU LOVE IT!!! So much more space for you to jump on!

That night, we took you to Skidaddles to play because we went to the movies with Uncle Tim & Aunt Mandy. For the past couple of days, you have been acting so strangely towards me, but when I put you down to go to Skidaddles, you didn't want me to leave (which made me feel sooooo good, but sad because I did have to leave you). Not sure what's going on with you, but you definitely aren't really diggin' me these days. You prefer daddy over me, which is fine (I guess...)...it makes me sad sometimes, though. When we picked you up, you were having such a great time! It made me feel better about leaving you there. They said that you were definitely trying to communicate. This isn't news to us - you are quite the jibber jabber!

Sunday was a mommy day! Like I said earlier, you had been acting a little strange towards/with me. I thought maybe if I went out for a little bit by myself, when I came home you'd be excited. You were...for a second...but my goodness, do you love your daddy! :)

Hoping you snap out of whatever funk you're in because my feelings get so hurt when you don't want to be with me. OR maybe, I need to just snap out of it and realize that you're a 14 month old kid who loves her mom and dad, but just shows it differently. Aren't I the paranoid mama!!!

I hope you know I love you more than anything! Sleep well, baby!!

Visit with Grandma Betsy!

Over Memorial Day Weekend 2011, Grandma Betsy came down to visit you (and see Jaymie Polet graduate from high school). Thurs/Fri/Sat you still seemed to have a cough, but slowly it seems to be going away. I called Dr. Warner on Saturday to see if I should give you something else, and she said to try a little Benedryl. That honestly didn't do anything, but you do seem to be getting better.

Grandma Betsy got into town on Thursday night, but you were already asleep. I had to go into work on Friday, so you got to hang out with her!! Daddy had put your Kozy Coupe together on Wed/Thurs, so that pretty much has been the only thing you have wanted to play with! Grandma Betsy actually bought that for you for your 1st birthday!! It's seriously your favorite thing in the world!

Friday night, we went to Crestview Hills and I got a fabulous dress for Aunt Kinneret's rehearsal dinner. For dinner, we went to John Phillips Steakhouse - it was delish! You had fancy mac&cheese!! Saturday, we all went on a 2hr walk in the neighborhood, even Honey went with us!!! You took a 3 hour nap afterwards. Grandma Betsy's migraine came back, and she was in bed until 7, unfortunately. However; when she woke up, we went to Karlo's for Italian. You were GREAT!! On Sunday Grandma Betsy went to Jaymie's graduation, and we did some errands. There was no way you were going to sit still for a graduation. You're so mobile!!! When Grandma Betsy got back, you were napping. When you got up, we dropped off a car at the airport for daddy because he was in Dallas for Uncle Max's bachelor party! Then, we went to Auntie Jill's house to celebrate Jaymie's graduation. We went swimming and you had a ball!!!!!!

Today, we went to First Watch for breakfast before Grandma had to go home. You'll see her in 6 weeks when we go to Buffalo/Toronto!! :)

Tonight we took you to your first festival - Taste of Cincinnati! It was soooo hot outside, but you were great! You had a soft pretzel stick, and some Ocean Spray juice! :) Yumm!

Daddy closes the store tomorrow night so you get to sleep in with him! YAY!!!

Sleep well, my love!

xoxo

1st Trip to the Beach (AC), Paige's Baby Naming & Grandpa's 60th Birthday!!

On Fri. 5/20, we flew on a private, charter jet to surprise Grandpa for his 60th birthday!!! We definitely flew in style - got there 15 minutes before the plane left, you had your very own seat, free yogurt parfaits, and then when we arrived, we had free coffee/pastries/cookies waiting for us! GrAndi spoils us!!!

We had a great Friday! We met Michelle and Mark Dunn for breakfast at a diner when we arrived. You were so great at the diner. Worst thing you did was rip up your placemat and throw crayons! Ha!! Then, we went to Bellies & Booties, of courss. And guess who made a BIG purchase??? GRANDI!!!! Then we went to Wegman's to get some yummies, and headed back home because you needed a nap BIG TIME!! :) We all took naps, actually, and then Grandpa came home around 6:15pm! He was SO surprised to see you. I was hiding behind a wall, and you were just walking around the kitchen when he came in, stunned to see you in the house! :) I have it all on video!!

On Saturday, we drove down to Atlantic City, and met with our friend, Jennifer, who helped us out a lot for my wedding! She loved visiting with you!! Then we went to Great Aunt Een's house where you got to see Great Aunt Een, Great Uncle Lars, Cousins Sean & Rob, and of course, Logan!!!! You loved Logan - he was a giant stuffed animal to you. After lunch at Ventura's (where you were making eyes at Rob), we took you and Logan to the beach. YOU LOVED IT!!! In fact, if I hadn't been chasing after you, you would've definitely been in the ocean. You walked so steadily on the sand, and right towards the water. We got some great pictures. After a loooong day, we went home, and Aunt Heather came to see you!

You woke up around 5:00am on Sunday morning as hot as a potato! You definitely had a fever, so I stripped you down to the diaper, and gave you some Motrin. This seemed to help, but you were really coughing and sounded terrible. To be safe, Grandpa & I took you to Urgent Care. You had some kind of bronchial viral thing going on, so we picked up an Albuterol Inhaler, breathing chamber, and an oral steroid for you. The inhaler is really hard to use with you because we have to do 2 puffs of the Albuterol in this breathing aparatus, and make sure you breathe it in. You think it's a toy, and won't let us keep it on your mouth/nose for more than 10 seconds. The doctor said that there is not much you can do for a virus, but he thinks this will make it easier to breathe.

Later on Sunday, we went to Morris Plains for Paige Gladstein's baby naming. You got to see all of GrAndi's friends! They had not seen you since GrAndi's surprise party last May. They couldn't believe how grown up you are now! Today is also Grandpa's 60th birthday, so we went to Joe's Crab Shack for dinner. You had a great time!! You had a couple chicken fingers (shared the rest with GrAndi), some applesauce and Pedialyte! Yum! As always, you were fabulous at dinner!!

GrAndi and I gave you a breathing treatment around 8:30am, so hopefully you wake up feeling great!!! We go home tomorrow, which is sad, but hopefully we'll be back in the summer. I'd love to actually take you in the ocean!

Sleep well, my love!

xoxo

Allergies or Sick???

So, you have this really nasty cough and today, when I picked you up from Michelle's, you had this really thick, green "snot" pouring out of your nose. I've never seen it like that before. Normally it's a thinner consistency, and more clear, so I'm a little worried (imagine that)? Daddy called the doctor yesterday, but they didn't seem concerned. They called us back today to suggest giving you more water and juice than milk to keep you hydrated, as well as to put you in the bathroom and steam it up with hot water. Hoping you'll feel better soon - I hate seeing you like this.

Sleep well!!!

xoxo

Uncle Max's Law School graduation & Aunt Kinneret's Michigan Shower!!

This past weekend we went to Brighton, Michigan for Uncle Max's law school graduation from Michigan State, and Aunt Kinneret's bridal shower. You were such a good girl this weekend, miss I just turned 14 months!!!!!
There were so many kids at the graduation, and you definitely were the best behaved. You had your own seat, and sat between "da da" and Grandma Betsy. Towards the end of the graduation, you were getting a little restless and needed a nap. Daddy and I were going to go back to the hotel but you fell asleep in the car and we didn't want to wake you up because you desperately needed that nap. SO, we stopped at Wendy's for a little snack, and while we were in the parking lot, you woke up! SO, we let you try a chicken nugget for the first time. You LOVED it!




After your Wendy's snack, we had a little wardrobe change
and headed back to East Lansing for dinner at Mitchell's Fish Market. Again, you were so good!!! Once it got to be about 6:30/7:00pm ish, you got a little fussy, but luckily there was graduation cake to be had! We cut you a piece, and you went to town. It was like your birthday all over again -
definitely needed a bath after that!


On Saturday, I went to Aunt Kinneret's bridal shower with Grandma Betsy. You got to stay at the hotel with daddy. I heard that daddy and Pop Pop Marc took you swimming! How fun!!!!

We ended up staying an extra night, which was great, because you got to spend more time with your family. They love you so much! How could they not!!?? :)

Love you!

Playdates with Callie's kids!

Last night, we all went to Golden Corral to meet my friend, Callie, and her husband and 4 children. Callie had a bag of broken up "magic pop," which you love!!! You got to munch on that during dinner!!! You were great at dinner!!

It's almost 9am on Saturday (5/7), and you're still sleeping!!!!!!!!! You've been sleeping for nearly 12 hours!!! MUST BE NICE!! It's gorgeous outside!! Maybe we'll try the zoo today??? We shall see how you're feeling because I have heard you coughing still. :(

Feel better!!

xoxo

A Molar????

A couple days ago, I was checking out your teeth, and all of a sudden, a new one was there!!! Your 1st molar is coming through on your lower right side!! I couldn't believe it. At first I thought maybe one of your teeth had chipped because it was very groovy, and sharp, but nope...it's a big 'ol molar coming through. Poor thing - you've been sick, with possible allergies, and top it off, you have a big tooth pushing through your gums - that's just not a good combo!!!!

xoxo

Sick again! :(

Looks like you have another cold, or possibly allergies, or maybe a combination!! It's been a rough transition from Winter to Spring for you. Daddy took you to the doctor on Tues (5/3/11), but luckily nothing serious like last time. No ear infection or anything, just a nasty cold. However; she did say that it could possibly be allergies, so she wants us to give you liquid Claritin 1x a day. Your poor nose just runs, and runs, and runs. :( You actually seem worse today than yesterday, so I am a little concerned, but we'll just watch it CLOSELY. You don't feel as warm as you did yesterday, so that's a good thing. Hopefully you'll start to feel like yourself again. It's no fun being sick, and it's definitely no fun watching you be sick. :(

Feel better, my love!!!

Forgot to Blog About This - You Woke Up With No Diaper On!!!!!!!

Forgot to blog about this yesterday, but it's a must blog about moment!!!!

Yesterday, after our REALLY fun day, we came home and the house was kind of hot. I put the A/C, but decided to put you to bed with your shirt, and a diaper. WELL, somehow, you managed to take off your diaper and pee EVERYWHERE (in your crib, at least). You and the sheets were soked!!!! The funny thing is, is that you had pooped in the diaper - thank you for that!!! AND, thank you for solid doo doos - this could have been a disaster!!!!

:)

Union Terminal & Bubbles!!!!

. Today we went to Union Terminal (museum) for a playdate with Amanda & NaomiYou hadn't seen each other in awhile, and it's amazing how much you both have grown!!! We took you to the Duke Energy Children's play area (Little Sprouts I think it's called), and let you run loose!!! You kept gravitating towards the silver slide.I actually you took you down the slide, and you seemed to like it, but then you hit your head on the way down - OUCH!!!






You played with the sandbox, but eventually tried to eat that.:)
WHOOPS!!! And you and Naomi liked to walk on the walkway. You almost ran on the walkway - you're walking is so much more stable!!







After we got home, we played with bubbles! You LOVED them. At first you weren't really sure what to do with them, but then you figured out that you could chase them and pop them before they popped on their own! I need to get more bubbles because GrAndi bought you a bubble machine!!!! Hopefully the weather will continue to be nice to so that we can play outside!

"More"

I'm really slacking on this whole blogging thing!! Glad GrAndi is keeping me in line and reminding me!!!

So, last night (4/26), I was feeding you ravioli (of course), and I said "more" and you kind of repeated it. I've noticed that you're really trying to say more things. It's so cute!!!!!!!!!

Hoping you'll sleep through the night. I'm not sure what's going on, but the past week or so, you've been getting up during the night (1-2 times), crying and then going back to sleep with a bottle. I tried to feed you more tonight, and closer to your bedtime so that when I put you down, your belly would be feel. The only thing I can think of is that perhaps you're hungry and I wasn't feeding you enough. We shall see. It's a little after 9:00pm, and you usually go to bed around 8:00pm. Hopefully this will do the trick so we can all get some sleep! :)

xoxo

Another tooth!?!?

Today I noticed that you have another tooth poking through your gums! It's on the top, so now you have 7 teeth - 4 on the top and 3 on the bottom. :)

Aunt Kinneret's Bridal Shower & Your Week With GrAndi!!

Well, Aunt Kinneret's Buffalo Bridal Shower came and went, and so did mommy and daddy's cruise. WE ALL SURVIVED!!!!!! :)

You were SO good in Buffalo. You got to hang out with your cousin Shayna.
You were really great with her, and tried to show her how to play with some toys.

Though you had started to walk more and more, you REALLY took off at Grandma Betsy's house! Everyone was so amazed because a little less than a month before, when everyone was at your house for your 1st birthday, you were still holding onto furniture. Amazing what 3 1/2 weeks can do! You also learned (taught yourself) how to turn around, and go down a stair. You're so brave!

Friday night, we celebrated Great Grandma Rita's 79th birthday. She loves you so much, and was so happy that you were there to celebrate with her. You tasted challah for the first time, and LOVED it!



The next day was Aunt Kinneret's Bridal Shower. Again, you were REALLY on your best behavior, and was dressed perfectly!! Grandma Betsy had bought your outfit from last night, and for the shower. You and cousin Shayna had matching outfits. You both looked so cute!! You were fascinated by the gold wrapping paper Aunt Kinneret used to wrap the hostess gifts. Who knew such things would be your favorite "toys"?



The next day (Sunday), we had to leave Buffalo because mommy and daddy were going on a trip. This was the first time that I was away from you since I had you over a year ago. I started tearing up as we got closer to the airport. It was really hard for me to leave you. I was so used to your sounds, and getting up with you in the morning. It was so strange to leave without you, but I knew you'd be in great hands - you'd be with GrAndi. Luckily we were able to Skype with you Monday and Tuesday because we were still in the states. Wed and Thurs, we were in the Bahamas, but I still emailed because I just couldn't go 24 hours without some form of communication. GrAndi said that you did GREAT!! I really think she had a lot of fun with you, though you certainly kept her busy with all of your "running" around.

Friday (4/15), we came home. We were gone for 6 days, and I couldn't wait to get home to you. When we got off of the plane, GrAndi had brought you inside the airport. I teared up again when I ran to you. I was so excited to see you, and to me, you looked even more grown up! You even got another tooth while we were gone, so now you have 6 teeth!!

It was so funny, though, I wanted you to just cling to me, you reached for your daddy. It was so cute. I am so glad that you love him so much because he loves you SOOOO much too!!! While daddy waited for our bags, you were literally walking the entire airport. I could barely keep up with you!

GrAndi stayed for the weekend and flew home yesterday. During the weekend, you tried spaghetti (plain) and chocolate milk. (YOU LOVED THE CHOCOLATE MILK) Right before we took her to the airport, we went to her favorite restaurant, CiCi's Pizza Buffet. I don't think you were too impressed, but GrAndi certainly was!!

Mommy & Daddy's Vacation is Quickly Approaching. :(

Mommy and Daddy's 3rd anniversary is coming up, which means we're going on a trip...which means...we're going to be away from you for the VERY FIRST TIME EVER!!!! I have never been away from you overnight since you were born, so I am really nervous about being away from you. I'm so used to your sounds, and our routine! I hope I'm able to enjoy myself. You'll be staying with GrAndi, so I know you'll be fine...it's me that I'm worried about!!! You are going to have SO much fun with GrAndi! She is going to play with you every day until we come home. Don't worry, we will think about you every second of every day. I plan on bringing several of your pictures to put in our cabin, and I've already called Verizon to see about international calling. I plan to check in on you, if I'm able, every single day!!!! I hope you don't forget us!!!!!!!!!

Sweet dreams!!!

xoxo

1st Ear Infection!!

Well, today is day 3 of you having a fever and I think day 4 of Dr. Warner not seeing you!!!!! Daddy and I have called the doctor at least 1x per day since Monday to see what's wrong with you, but she keeps telling us to keep you hydrated and give you Tylenol. HOWEVER; today was different. This morning around 2:00am, you woke up screaming and didn't really stop. Luckily, daddy got up with you each time because I had to go to work this morning. Throughout the day, daddy said that you were playing and seemed to be doing better. When I got home, around 1:30pm, you had been sleeping for about 20 minutes. You didn't wake up until about 4:00pm. When I went to change your diaper, I noticed a really blotchy rash around your diaper area (lower tummy, outer and inner thighs). I immediately called Dr. Warner and FINALLY she said come on in!!! When I got you there, you had a fever of 104.7!!!!!!!!!!!!! Clearly, I need a new and better thermometor!!! She also said you had an ear infection in your right ear. :( Poor thing. We got a prescription for Amoxicilin. She also told me to give you Motrin instead of Tylenol because it lasts longer.

I gave you your first dose of both around 7:00pm tonight. You have been sleeping since about 8:00pm, but you have woken up a few times crying. You have fallen back to sleep almost immediately, though. Hopefully you're able to sleep tonight. You're usually such a sound sleeper, so I know you don't feel well.

Sleep well!!!!!!!!

xoxo

1st Poopy in the Potty!!!

We're both still sick, but I had to go to work today, so you got to play at Michelle's. When I dropped you off, you had such a runny nose. I showed Michelle all the goodies we brought including Pedialyte and Tylenol! :) I checked up on you a lot today, and got all good reports. My favorite report was around 4:00pm. You made a big girl poopy in the big girl potty!!!!! Michelle said that she could see and hear you grunting. She checked your diaper, but nothing had happened yet...SO, she sat you on the potty. Though you cried for a few minutes, you ended up making what I was told to be a GIANT poop!!!! :) She and the girls clapped for you, so you clapped too!!!! How exciting! You are growing up so quickly!!!!

As for your cold, you still have a stuffy nose, but you are in much better spirits. I think your fever finally broke which is GREAT!!!!!!!

I just put you to sleep. I folded up a crib pad under your crib sheet to elevate you a little. I read that online this morning that it can help with nasal congestion. Hopefully you'll be back to your silly self soon!!!!

xoxo

Mommy is Sick. Hailey is Sick.

This has been a REALLY rough week for you and mommy! Let's start off by saying you had your first photoshoot for a business on Sun. 3/27. It was kind of during your afternoon naptime, so you were a little fussy. Luckily, they let us do your photos first!!!! You were in a REALLY cute black and white Mudpie outfit - I probably will have to buy it!

That same day, I started feeling a little sick. I had a really bad headache and my throat was starting to hurt. Normally, these things pass me by the next day. NOT THIS TIME!!! I woke up the next morning, and it was worse. I took some DayQuil, and actually felt better towards the middle of the day, but decided to use part of a sick day to go to Urgent Care JUST BECAUSE if something really is wrong, I needed medication quickly. I didn't want to get you sick, and we have a trip to Buffalo next weekend, and then daddy and I are going on vacation (sniff sniff!!). When I got to Urgent Care, they did a Flu test and a Strep test. I didn't have the Flu, but I sure had Strep!! The doctor ordered a Penicillin shot (in my tushy!!!) and then gave me a script for oral Penicillin. I stayed home the rest of the day, as well as Tuesday.

On Wednesday (TODAY), you woke up around 4:30am with a low-grade fever and a really runny nose. I didn't want to leave you at Michelle's today, so I took you with me to work for a few hours.
I was able to get a few things done, and then we came back home to rest. Dr. Warner would not see you. She said that children under 2 don't get Strep, and that sometimes they may get something called Strep of the nose, but they don't treat for that. She suggested that I give you Tylenol and keep you hydrated. SO, that's what I've done. You've already had 8oz of Pedialyte, and I just put you down for your second nap. Hopefully you're able to rest, poor thing.

We have to get better! We have BIG plans in the next couple of weeks!!!

xoxo
Love you!!!

P.S.
Any day (paid or not) is worth staying home with you.

Imitating!

You are so funny. You're starting to imitate us when we make faces or sounds. Today during lunch, I puckered my lips and made a face at you, and you did it right back to me. It was so funny. And then tonight, daddy made a silly face and made a silly sound to go with it, and you did (or tried to do) the same thing. You really make us laugh!!!!!

Ooooh...your 5th tooth is poking through - it's on the bottom right (but looking at you, it's on your left). :)

New Tricks!

You're learning more and more things, and I love watching it!!! Tonight after eating one of your favorite snacks (yogurt), I just gave you the spoon. You walked around with it in your mouth, and then I opened my mouth and you put the spoon in it! It was so funny. Everytime I was near you and opened my mouth, you took the spoon right out of your mouth, and put it in mine. Also, anytime I take a sip from your straw waterbottle, you'll then take a sip. It's almost like you're doing what I'm doing. Later tonight, I was doing some kettlebell exercises, and one of them involved twisting my waist with the kettlebell in my hand. When I started twisting, you started twisting. It was so cute!

We're apparently supposed to get some crazy weather, so I hope it doesn't wake you up. All I hear is rain right now, but you never know.

Sleep well!!

xoxo

Making Lots of Progress!

Today, the news reported that there are new carseat regulations recommending that children stay rear-facing in carseats until age 2. Before, the rule was age 1 and 20lbs, so on your 1st birthday, we switched you to forward-facing. Now, 9 days later, the rules are different and I'm supposed to switch you back! :( I'm very much on the fence because it's not a law, but a recommendation. Your leggies are so long that I worry turning you back around. I'll have to do some research on this!

When I got home from work, I noticed that you're standing up by yourself much more frequently, and then taking steps towards things you want. A week or so ago, you would only take a step if someone was right in front of you asking you to. This is GREAT progress!!!!!

BUSY DAY!!!

Today was quite a busy day. You didn't get a chance to nap this morning before Milena's 3rd birthday party. We ended up leaving a little early because you started to get fussy, which is understandable. You're quite regular, and like your routine. After the party, you immediately fell asleep in the car. Mommy took you to her friend, Callie's house to play. Once you woke up, you were ready to play, though you got a little fussy after about an hour.

We aren't able to go to daddy's hockey game - he was sad, but you need a nap. HOWEVER; you're supposed to be napping right now, and I just hear you kicking your crib!

Eeek - guess we're in for a rough evening!

Playing with Friends

Tonight, mommy and daddy took you to a place called Skidaddles so that we could go to a movie. Before we dropped you off, we had dinner at IHOP. You had scrambled eggs (eggbeaters, of course). While we waited for our food, daddy showed you how to use a crayon and you actually did it! I, of course, grabbed the placemat that you colored on! :)

When we picked you up tonight, it looked like you had been crying, though they said that you had just started. :( Hoping you were okay and had fun. Makes me nervous, and makes me never want to leave you again!!!!!

Hopefully you're able to sleep tonight. It's way past your bedtime, and I can hear you moving around in your crib. We have a big day tomorrow. It's Milena's 3rd birthday, and then we're going to go over to mommy's friend's (Callie) house to play.

Oh the Rebellion!

This whole "no bottle thing" is really not sitting well with you. I think daddy and I have come to an agreement that we will let you have a bottle at least at night, and possibly in the morning, and of course as an emergency if we're out in public (hehe!). In the meantime, you'll "TRY" to use a sippy cup and just eat regular food. When I get home from work, and right around the time you start to get sleepy, you seem to do fine with a sippy cup. You normally drink water out of it, and actually last night, you were sharing your water with me. :)

Today, after your nap (which you're napping right now), we're going to go to Buy Buy Baby and then visit daddy. I'm hoping to find a different type of sippy cup, or another bottle-like device so that we can break you of the bottle which you LOVE!!!!!!

Alright...hope you're dreaming about sippy cups! :)

xoxo

Fun in the Pool & Sippy Cups!!

Today you went with Michelle, Izabella & Milena to Silverlake
Rec Center to swim. You had a blast, as you can see.




After playing in the pool, all of you (except Michelle) passed out in the car.







On our way home, I let you have the bottle in the car, but once we got home, we only used sippy cups. I was reading articles today about how to wean your baby off the bottle, and one suggestion was to give you a cup with nothing in it, and let you play with it. SO, I took a plain, yellow sippy cup and let you play with it for a few minutes.
Then, I took it away and put ice water in it. Though a lot of the water got on you, you definitely drank most from the sippy cup. You ate diced chicken again, and then had a little Sprouts pasta. Later tonight, I gave you a plain, pink sippy cup. I let you play with it, and then put formula in it. You seemed to drink from this sippy cup (same cup, different color) more than the yellow, probably because the formula has a taste, whereas water does not. The tough part tonight was when we went to sleep. Though I had a bottle ready to give you, I tried giving you the sippy cup. You did cry on and off for about 10 minutes, but ultimately fell asleep. I just went in a few minutes ago to grab the cup from your crib, and it was empty (lid still on). I probably should have given you the bottle tonight, but good to know that you were able to soothe yourself to sleep. I know it will get easier as time goes on.