16 Months

My Little Lovey ~

Where do the days go? Though I continue to feel so blessed to be a part of your life, I sometimes wish I could slow time down a bit and take more time to enjoy being with you. You are just so anxious to go and do that's it's all we can do to keep up with you.

You continue to show your independent streak, and this month I think I may have seen the precursor to a temper tantrum. While walking and holding my hand, you decided that you'd rather go in a different direction than the one I was heading. When you couldn't get loose of my hand, you stopped walking and squatted down low. Once I stopped and let go of your hand, you popped up and took off in your preferred direction. There was no whining or crying, but you definitely showed me how willful you are. I have a feeling that we're in for it.

Since the snow finally melted this month (at least it did for a day or two), we've been letting you walk to and from the car more often. It's just so incredibly adorable to see you trot down the sidewalk on your own. On one of the nicer days, we even went for a ride/walk with your very first tricycle. You had the biggest, million dollar grin on your face!

You continue to talk a lot, and are always coming up with new words. Unfortunately, we don't know all of your words, so there are times that you're definitely trying to tell us something, but we just can't figure it out. Some of my favorites of your new words are Bella (Beh Ba), thank you (day doo), and when you try to make a rooster noise. Just as I predicted, you've recently abandoned your own word for kitty, and now say cat (dat). I'm sad that I was never able to catch that one on video. You're also beginning to give names to other people in our family, so we talk about all your Mamaws and Papas.

This is just such a fun age, and your daddy and I are enjoying you so much...even though we can see the tantrums coming.

All my love always...

Your Momma

15 Months

My Darling Silly Face ~

Yet another month has passed while I watch you grow and learn. You are so amazing and entertaining as you continue to develop your personality.

This month, I've been astounded by the connections that you make. Once you learned the word and sign for "day", you began to use it every time you see a picture of the sun. When you see polka-dots (in pictures, on your clothes, etc.), you happily point and say "Ball!" Sometimes, especially when you're looking at your books, I can tell that your brain is hard at work...I can't help but wonder what you're thinking. I look forward to the day that you have enough words to tell me everything you know and want and think about every day.

You've made some little leaps and bounds with motor development this month, too. You learned to go down the stairs and are working with a spoon more and more. I'm trying to care less about the mess and more about letting you explore, but sometimes that's hard. In some respects, we are learning together.

One of your favorite toys lately has been the shape sorter you got for Christmas. You are so good at putting the shapes in each hole, as long as I help you find the right one to try. I'm amazed at how you will turn the pieces or wiggle them just a bit to make them fit. Every single piece that goes into the ball elicits such a proud grin that your whole face lights up. Such joy.

You are still talking up a storm. In addition to all of your words, you've added a few animals sounds. In your little world, cows now say MOO and sheep say BAA. What fun. You've also made up a few words of your own. You have a very specific word for "cat/kitty", but I can't do it justice in writing. I hope to catch it on camera. I know that my window of opportunity is probably small. Before we know it, you will figure out how to say "cat" and abandon your own little word.

As hard as I try, I just can't seem to capture everything I notice as I watch you day by day. I hope you know that I am watching and I am so amazed with what I see. You are such a joy to me.

I love you so very much.

Your Momma

Laughing Girl

The book we're looking at, Woof, has a hole in the middle for this little button you can push. Kaylee likes sticking her fingers back through the hole and I "munch" them with my hand.

First Haircut

Kaylee is just growing up so quickly, it's scary. Last night she got her first haircut. We really only trimmed her bangs a bit, but it's a milestone all the same.

My aunt is a hairdresser, so she gave me my first haircut. Continuing the tradition, "Auntie Mir", who is in school at B Street Design, gave Kaylee her first haircut.

She just looks so grown up now!!!

Kaylee's Vocabulary

Here are the words that Kaylee can say/sign right now...

Sign only - coat, thank you, milk, cracker, cat, hat, sign

Word only - momma, da (daddy), bird, moo, baa, eye, boo

Word and sign - moon, hi/bye (she waves, anyway), please, more, dog, horse, ball, bear, baby, day, bus, fish, book

She knows the following body parts...nose, mouth, hair, belly button, feet, eye

I just know that I'm leaving something out, but I can't think of it. Not too shabby, huh?

PIGTAILS!!!

14 Months

My Little Lovey ~

As we throw away all the packages and ribbon from your second Christmas, we still get to celebrate for one more day. You are 14 months old and growing more quickly every day.

The most notable thing about this last month has been the absolute language explosion that you've gone through. You are learning more signs and saying more words than ever before. I love hearing your little voice, especially when you're using your manners with the most adorable little "Pease!" I've ever heard. You are just so bright and quick and absolutely keep us on our toes.

Your second Christmas was far less eventful than the first. No massive snowstorms this year. You enjoyed everything we did, from ripping open paper and playing with the ribbons to trying out new toys and chasing your big boy cousins. You are such a happy, joyful, little girl!

I love you ever so much, my wonderful child.

Your Momma