Chuck-E-Cheese!

Last night (1/24), we went to Chuck-E-Cheese for the first time. It was your friend, Bailey's, 3rd birthday. We also celebrated Brooklyn's 2nd birthday. You had a blast!!!!! Though you didn't eat much, once that ice cream came out...you shoveled it right in! :) You loved the rides, and actually some of them took your picture! How fun!!!!! While we were waiting for Bailey & Brooklyn to arrive, we ran over to TJ Maxx. You got a Princess (aka "Pincess") bookbag!!! YOU LOVE IT!!! You wanted to bring it to the birthday party, but we had to leave it in the car.

This morning (1/25), when I left for work and you were home with daddy, daddy texted me and said that he tried to take you downstairs WITHOUT your bookbag, and you got REALLY upset! It's your new favorite thing!!!!! It's really so cute - it's almost bigger than you, but I'm hoping you'll be able to use it when we go to Myrtle Beach in a few months!!!! Yay!!! Can't wait to take you there!!

Have a GREAT day today with daddy!!!

"Let Go!"

Today I had a new photographer, Dawn Burgan, come over to take some pics. Overall, I think it was a success (in between your raging meltdowns!!). Saving graces today??? Well, lollipops, juice and cheese puffs! LOL! I'm sure the pictures with your mouth full of puffs will be beautiful. Haha!! I did, however; hear a new phrase of yours..."Let Go!" I'm not liking that one, but hopefully it will pay off when you're older and fighting off those boys!!!

Rough time getting you to go to sleep tonight. Normally you just your milk and go right to sleep, but tonight you wanted nothing to do with your milk. I left it in there and am hoping for the best!

Love you!

Artist???

Tonight (1/20), you decided to draw WITH PEN on our leather bar stools. Luckily, it's just one, but still, it's EVERYWHERE! Doesn't really seem to be coming out, however; in the grand scheme of things...you really have been a pretty harmless almost 2 year old. When your daddy was younger, he and his brothers apparently put holes in walls, so I guess a little pen on a stool isn't so bad.

We still love you! ;)

"Doodie!"

Today (1/16/12), you stayed home with daddy because he did not have to work. Around 1:30pm, daddy called me and said that you went up to him and said "doodie." Daddy then asked you if you needed to go poopie on the potty, and you said "yes!" He put you on your potty seat, and you pooped!!!! This is the first time you have asked to go poopie on the potty!!!!! Daddy said that you got all excited when you flushed it down! SO PROUD OF YOU!!!!!!!

22 Months!!

So, you're 22 months old now - 2 more months and you'll be 2 years old!!!!!!!!! Craziness!!

You are saying so much, including..."I LOVE YOU," well, in your own little way. It's so cute. You're also finishing songs for me. Last night (1/14/12), I was singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star," and when I got the last word, you said it for me. You did that after EACH verse! I had no idea that you knew the words, but you absolutely do!!!

Today (1/15/12), we met one of mommy's friends, Brandie, from high school for lunch! She hadn't seen her in over 11 years!!!!!! You were a little cranky, but luckily the restaurant was empty so you got to run around with Brandie's 3 little boys!

I have a new struggle...planning your 2nd birthday party!!! WHAT TO DO? WHAT TO DO? I can't decide which theme I want to do...Elmo? Diego? Princesses? You're into all of these things equally, so it's hard to just pick one! You know me, your party has to be PERFECT!!!!!

Okay, I just put you to sleep! I heard you fussing in there for a minute, but you've been quiet for a good 10 minutes or so. Sleep tight!! You get to stay home and play with daddy all day tomorrow - lucky!!!!

Love you!!!!

Privacy!

You are definitely on your way to potty-training. You're ALMOST 22 months old, and within the past 2 months or so, I have really seen a change. I noticed a couple months ago that you would go behind chairs, or in corners, etc, and strain like you were pooping. You might not always poop, but it was definitely a sign of wanting privacy. Recently, and especially tonight, you have been going into the kitchen closet, and closing the door. 9 times out of 10, you're pooping. :) Tonight, I caught you running to the closet, so I swooped you up and took you to the potty in the downstairs bathroom. You motioned to close the door, and seemed to get frustrated if I would open it. It sounded like you were pushing, and both daddy and I thought we heard something "plop," but nope. Either way, it's a definite sign that you're able to tell when you're going to poop and wanting privacy to do so. You still have a ways to go, but at this age, I'm SUPER impressed that we're even this far! You're SOOOO independent and very smart. I wouldn't be surprised if you just kind of figured it out - which would be GREAT because I'm dreading potty training!!!!! :)

Just put you to sleep, and I said "I love you," and you said it right back to me! Love you so much!!!

Mommy & Daddy's 1 week Vacation

Well, we just got back from our vacation (of 1 week!!!) today - this was the longest that we had been away from you EVER!!!! It was really hard to leave you last week, and though we tried to Facetime, I think it was really hard on us all. I got really upset because I didn't think you missed us, and then the 2nd time we tried it, you seemed to be confused and upset. :(

While we were on the cruise, we did not have access to a phone, but we did email with GaGa and GrAndi! GaGa stayed with you at our house while we were gone, and from the sounds of it, you two had a BALL!!!!! Sounds like you were on your BEST behavior. GaGa told me that you went to the mall and rode the choo choo train, and the carousel. And yesterday, GaGa took you to a very ritzy place for lunch in Kenwood - Trio! :) You had lunch with GaGa, Auntie Jill and Auntie Jill's friend, Katie! Normally you can be kind of a hot mess for long periods of time at restaurants, but GaGa said you were GREAT!!!! :) You had a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich - YUM!! After lunch, you went to Kenwood and GaGa bought you flashy silver shoes called Tom's! They are soooo cute on you!

GaGa definitely had you on a good schedule!!! You slept 12 hours, and would normally wake up around 10:30am! Eeek - might be a challenge tomorrow morning when I have to wake you up at 7:00am! :( You definitely are talking A LOT more, and your words, phrases, requests, etc are definitely more and more clear. You are now saying "I love you," "thank you," "here you go," and can sometimes count to TEN (with assistance!)

I was sooo excited to see you this morning when we landed!!! You seemed a little confused when you saw us for the first time since last week, but QUICKLY warmed up which I loved!!! You were extra cuddly today.

Okay - time to go night night!!!!! :) So glad to be home!