Orelia at 16 Months

Things are busy, busy, busy in our house these days with a sixteen-month old.

She has started literally running all over the place, though usually not in a lion costume.  Running and running and then "ooh shiny object!"

It's nice that she's stable when she walks now and she can get where she wants to go.  Not that we always want her to go to those places, but that's what baby gates are for.

Her language has really started to come together and we are loving hearing her voice.  I'm not sure why she decided to try to say some words and not others.  Why does she say "lella" (umbrella), something she has only seen pictures of, but she doesn't say "leaf," something we talk about every day.  She has as many as thirty words now and knows the noises a half dozen animals make.  I can't seem to teach her anything about cats, but that's a dog girl for ya.

We certainly can't fully communicate with her about all her wants and needs, but it's helpful that things are getting better and she is happier when she can express herself.  Anyone that knows my daughter can believe that "up" is her new favorite word.

We are really happy with the one nap situation since it leaves us more time to play with friends and run errands.  We still host play group at our house once a week (indoors, lately) for about ten kids, and Orelia and I both agree it's one of our favorite afternoons of the week.

She loves to be tickled and we certainly don't deny her that pleasure.  Hearing your child laugh really is one of the greatest experiences.

She remains our funny and very sweet little girl.  We love her new "trick" of giving kisses and hugs.  The kisses are a little sloppy and the hugs are a little rough (just ask her friends), but we wouldn't have it any other way.

She's always learning and doing and experiencing, and we are right there by her side to share in the fun.

Noni is Here

Noni is here and all of our laundry is done (out of the dryer!  folded!) and all of our dishes are clean.

A certain little girl is also quite pleased to have someone to blow bubbles for her, snuggle with her, teach her new words ("cereal"), and in the end just be around to love her.  Grandparent love is the best.

Lit Up Like a Christmas Tree

Give a toddler a string of lights and they will be beyond themselves with joy.  Rarely do you allow them to play with wires or lights or frankly anything fun that they want to enjoy.

She loves to play "Christmas tree."

Toddlers sure are fun around the holidays!

It's Tradition

 We happily continued our family tradition of driving to Half Moon Bay to chop down our Christmas tree this year.  John and I love the quaintness of it, and it's something we both look forward to.

Finally, FINALLY, we have a kid old enough to at least somewhat appreciate the fun.  

 Mostly she enjoyed the hide and seek part with Daddy behind the trees.

 She loves being outside, so a family adventure to a Christmas tree farm was sure to be a hit.

We picked a nice 6 foot tree and John dutifully chopped it down while I distracted Orelia (what could be more exciting than a saw?).

 We can't wait for Orelia to help us choose a tree for many years to come.  If I know my daughter, she will have plenty of strong opinions on the matter (sounds just like Mama).

Our fresh and beautiful tree is now decorated and surrounded by a black metal baby gate.  It's not the most picturesque situation, but we've gotten used to this type of thing around here.  Without the gate I can almost guarantee Orelia would be attempting to scale the tree any day now to pluck off the Harper ornament.

Friendsgiving

 This year, for the first time, we celebrated Thanksgiving with our friends instead of with our family.  We hosted at our place and had three families over who each have toddlers with whom Orelia is buddies.

I cooked the turkey and broke out the China, silver, and crystal; our friends basically brought everything else, including the flowers.

 Okay, well I also bought some crackers which were essentially the only part of Thanksgiving dinner (appetizers) Orelia would eat.

Harper happily ate a wedge of cheese while everyone was outside taking photos, but that's another story.

 It was a beautiful and warm day to celebrate what we are thankful for.  This year we were especially thankful for all the new friends we have in our lives to spend holidays with when our families can't be here.  Orelia and I are so lucky to spend our days with such wonderful moms and toddlers.

Despite the kids' refusal to eat any of our Thanksgiving feast, and sit in their high chairs longer than two minutes, we had a great Thanksgiving.  The kids ran around like maniacs, but they were in it together and we, as parents, were all in it together too.

Her Worst Nightmare

So this happened on Saturday.  It didn't surprise either John or I, as she is loathe to be handed to someone she isn't keen on and was terrified of a Santa in the bookstore the other day.  It was sad and comical, and we've since moved past it.  She better wisen up by next year if she wants him to bother stopping by our house on Christmas, though.

Killing Time, Lately

Lately life has been about big pushes in the backyard swing with the breeze flowing through her ever-growing curls.

She grins and signs "more" when I'm not pushing her hard enough.  It's almost never hard enough.

When the swing has lost it's luster we head out front to explore the fence.

Usually we are at the bay window looking out, so she enjoys the change of perspective to be on the outside looking in for a change.

Five minutes later we are onto the next thing.  And so it goes.