20 Months

My Sunshine girl, at 20 months, you...

-Weigh in at just about 24 pounds. You are still teeny tiny!

- Have the most delisghtful disposition. Of course, you are a toddler, and you have your moments, but you are so happy, laid back, curious, giggly, and silly. You really are one happy little girl.

- I try not to go on and on about this, but you are one smart cookie. You can count to ten all by yourself, point to and name all the numbers, and sing the whole alphabet and identify about half of the letters (you LOVE to say "ABC's" all the time whenever you see letters). You posess an incredible vocabulary and talk SO MUCH. Now, you speak in 3-5 word sentences all the time. Your communication skills are off the charts, and it is so fun to watch you learn! It seems like you have something new to share with the world every day.

-  Have some favorite phrases you love to say! The big ones right now are: "Mommy (Daddy, Leah) do it", "Leah eat dinners", "Baby sisser in Mommy tummy", "Leah nice to ____", "Its dark outside", "

- Sing and dance all the time now! You love to help us sing "The Wheels on the Bus", "You are my Sunshine", "Itsy Bitsy Spider", "Somewhere over the Rainbow","Clean up"  and "ABC's". Sometimes, you just bust out with a song. You dance all the time, too. Pretty much every night we are home turns into an iPod dance party in our kitchenm and it is the best. You have some moves, for sure!

- Have this absurdly darling lisp now. You put it at the end of all of your "S" words.

- Are still a great eater, but you are definetly pickier than before, as you are getting older and older. Some of your favorites are berries, watermelon, mango, avocado, banana, grapes,  oranges, peas, carrots, green beans, craisins, eggs, noodles, cous cous, toast, cheese and crackers, hummus, turkey, beans, yogurt, applesauce, soup, grilled cheese, squeezy pouches, ice cream, and Nutrigrain bars. You are really not a fan of meat. You ARE you father's daughter.

- Are starting to really test us as parents. You are experimenting and learning to be independent, and sometimes this results in you "breaking the rules". We are working to make sure you are learning that you can't always get your way, you will treat others with kindness, and try to make good choices to leave the world a better place. We are all learning together!

- Love to play with your babies. You must sleep with at least one every night, and sometimes you declare that you need "2 babies" at bedtime. You have a stroller, a crib, carseat, bouncy seat, and blankies for your babies, and you play with them over and over. Some other favorite toys are your kitchen, your Little People, letter blocks, cars, phones, kitchen stuff, you broom an vaccum, wallets, balls, and anything outside.

-Have some favorite books, including 10 Little Rubber Ducks, Your Baby Bible (Jesus book  :) ), We're Going on A Bear Hunt, Big Sister book, The Strawberry book, Eloise, and so many others!  You say "gen" every time we read a book. I hope you keep loving books as you grow!!

- are the light of our lives, sweet girl. Every time you smile, say Mommy and reach for me, and tell me that you love me, I melt into a puddle of mush. I am baffled at how much love I have for you. Thank you for being my sunshine.

Baby Sisser!

A couple of weeks ago, we found out another sweet baby girl will be joining our family in February. We are just elated over the thought of having 2 girls so close in age! I always wanted a sister, and I am thrilled for my girls that they will have one another to grow up with. 

It struck me as odd that so many people assumed we wanted a boy this time. Yes, it would have been wonderful of course, to have one of each, but I am really, really thrilled over being a girl mom again. I keep crying thinking of watching them grow into little ladies, side by side. We are blessed and very at ease that this little girl looks healthy, and quite cute already.  :)

I am more thankful than ever for my wonderful growing family. Every day is not easy, and every day poses new challenges as we learn and grow together, but every also brings more love and beauty than I ever thought possible. 

Baby Sisser, we are very, very exited to meet you and welcome you into our family. We are waiting with open arms (but please stay put for 4 more months) and grateful hearts. 

Here are a few snippets from the dinner we had to share the big news.  It was a fun celebration!!

Uncle Jim hooked it up!

Leah got her very first hair cut (a trim of about a millimeter on her bangs), a few weeks ago on her Uncle Jim's awesome roofdeck overlooking the Chicago skyline. Not too shabby for her first salon experience!  

My brother was a doll, and was so patient with her. He does hair all day long, but at the end of the tiny trim, he said "I don't know how people do kid's hair all the time!".  Hehe. 

Here's to many more hair do's from her fav uncle.  :)

Last days at the lake

On nice nights when we have no plans, we love to head down to Lake Ellyn to let Leah run around and play. It is just gorgeous there, and they have a fabulous toddler area. She loves to slide, and can to it all by herself like a big girl now.  

Hopefully, we have a couple more weeks of nice weather to take advantage of quality time at one of our favorite family spots!