Hi Hi Hi

One of the things you realize when you have kids is that there are phrases you use A LOT. You know you use them because your kids repeat them. For some, it's those embarassing cuss words. For others, like us, it's a simple greating like Hi.

For quite some time now Miss R has been doing this "Huh! Huh! Huh!" sound whenever she would see people. At first I thought she was just making random noises. Then we realized she is actually saying Hi and greeting people. Sometimes she'll wave hello or blow kisses too, but she is definitely saying Hi. It's hilarious.

Other things she's doing now...

• Sitting in her new big girl car seat which she LOVES because she wants to do anything and everything her big sister does.


• Eating all table food and no baby food. Again, she wants what we have to eat and no more stinking baby food.


• She'll try to put shoes on her feet, dress herself, put bracelets on her wrists, brush her own teeth with a toothbrush (though not well), comb her hair if given a comb and other things that just seem amazing to me that she's doing now.


• We are so close to walking that it's just a matter of confidence at this point because she does walk when she stops thinking about it.


• Her favorite thing to do is climb up the stairs. She'll dart for them and quickly scurry up them if we aren't careful so we have gated them. But...she is figuring out how to open the gate so we are rethinking the gate.

She's just getting so freakin big so quickly.

Wow! Head strong and so young

I expect that Miss R is going to give us a run for our money when she is older. She has a well formed opinion and she is only one. Despite her inability to speak she is pretty good at letting us know what she wants, what she doesn't and how she feels about things.

Currently, she is opting not to use any sign language, despite the fact that I know she can sign both more and milk appropriate. Instead, she likes to grunt and yell loudly or point and grunt. We were doing so good with the signing to let us know what exactly she wanted. I'd like to think her development isn't so far along that she is really deciding to NOT sign, but sometimes I swear she is doing it with full awareness of what and why she is doing it.

She is also pretty head strong and determined about what she wants too. Whether it's a toy, food or even a person like me or her Daddy...she will go to great lengths to get that item or person. Nothing holds her back...though we try and try and try because often her safety is compromised when she tries to propel herself off the changing table or crawl up or down the stairs.

I know her vocalness, her drive and determination are all qualities that we need to encourage and grow...but she is only 1. There has to be some boundaries, right?

Ramsey's First Birthday

Miss R's party was a huge success. She clearly likes white cake better than chocolate and smearing it all over me.

Miss R

Happy 1st Birthday Miss R

Dear Miss R,
Life with two kiddos is definitely different than life with one. You have added more happiness and sunshine into our lives in 12 short months than I thought was ever possible.

If I wish for anything, it would have been to have more time to dedicate to just you over the last year. In focusing on that I often fail to write down all that you are doing. And you are doing a lot.

For starters, you really are one of the happiest babies I have ever met. Your smile is beautiful with your mouth fully of gapped teeth. You love to crack up at your sister and she can get you going like nobody else.

Here are some other things you are doing right now, today, on your first birthday...

• You blow kisses by putting your hand over your open mouth and then extending your arm out.


• And you give nice sloppy open mouthed kisses when asked.


• Those kisses come with a little head bump as you lean in to kiss.


• You can wave and sign more and clap with a frenzie.


• I expect you to walk any moment because you are standing on your own and moving around testing the feel of moving from one piece of furniture to the next.


• Socks continue to be something that you pull off with frequency. Socks don't last long on your feet.


• Changing you is still a challenge because you HATE to lay on your back. This usually is worse when you have an ear infection and those have been pretty frequent as well.


• Push toys that help with walking are your new favorite and you also love most of your sister's toys, especially those that make noise.


• Your appetite is finally starting to grow and you are more into eating what we eat that eating any jarred baby food.


• We're dressing you in 12-18 month clothes because you are a growing girl.

I must admit that when we first found out that we were pregnant I was shocked and overwhelmed. Now that I have met you, I cannot imagine our family without you. You are my girl...my precious, loveable, happy girl and I wish you the most beautifully happy birthday and many more to come.

Love your Mommy

New Blanket

The other day C got a package in the mail. It was from one of her former teachers at her old school. SP and both cried as we read her thoughtful note. Her gift was a lovely quilt that C has slept with every night since.

The arrival of the quilt and the note from her teacher stirred up a lot of memories for C. We've spent a lot of time talking about her old school and how much she misses her school and her friends.

I snapped this picture because it was too sweet to see her covered in the quilt amongst all the other crazy stuff she piles into her bed.

It's been awhile

Life sometimes goes on and we don't have a second to think about all that is going on much less write it down. I know that's not fair to my girls because these are the moments that need to be captured. I will try and do better and think I can now that I have transitioned to my new job and am done traveling.