"Want to Be Like YOU!"

M&D have begun to realize that I want to be just like them and so I try everything I see them doing. It makes them think just how much they have to learn and how they need to always be doing the right things. Daddy sang about this at my baptism--the song "I Want to Be Like You" by Philips, Craig and Dean--the fact that parents need to be just like their Heavenly Father because their children want to be just like them! The copying does lead to some pretty cute and funny incidents though.

I told you about going to the Japanese steakhouse in Vermont...well I wanted to be just like the Hibachi chef and so I grabbed the only utensils I had at the moment--2 straws and tried to chop up my food like he was. The fire was pretty cool, too!!






Then when Aunt R. was using the chopsticks to eat, I decided to try myself and feed her with them; she claimed I even actually gave her a piece of rice!

When my aunts & uncles got into a snowball fight after church Sunday I just had to join in.
M&D weren't sure if I was "getting" my uncle or giving him ammuniation to use!!!

Grandpa got a new pair of gloves for running and both M and Aunt M. tried them on, so I just had to also. I admit I have a little more growing to do before they'll fit me perfectly!

Then the last night we were at G&G, everyone was playing cards. I got my own deck and played soltaire under the table. That way no one could disturb me!!

Christmas

For Christmas, I got to go visit G&G out in NJ. I had tons of fun (once we got there). My adventure started Christmas Eve morning after opening presents from Santa (he came a day early to our house!) and after a quick visit to my doctor for my 18 month check-up (i'm well just in case you are wondering--20 1/2 pounds and 32 inches tall). Anyhow we made it to the airport quickly and in plenty of time for our 12:30 flight. However, the plane wasn't there in plenty of time. I got lots and lots of time to explore the airport while we waited for clearance to take off--due to ground delays at Newark airport because of freezing rain. I walked up and down the escalators, and moving walkways. I even got to ride the tram between all 3 concourses. M&D were trying to delay my nap until we got on the plane (although I got a very short one on the way to the airport), but after being delayed 3 hours with no end in sight, M&D finally let me sleep. FINALLY after being in the airport for almost 7 hours we boarded our plane. M&D were very proud of how well behaved I was on the plane--hardly a peep out of me, except when I was laughing so hard at M playing with my water bottle like a top and she got distracted by our neighbor who was also laughing at me and so I tossed the water bottle at D and ended up spilling his pop all over him and the aisle! We ended up landing about 5 1/2 hours later than we were supposed to; so instead of arriving to a big Christmas Eve dinner we got there almost at midnight. I fell asleep on the way to G&G house (since I had been up the whole plane ride!), so I didn't get to see everyone until Christmas morning. I got to open presents after church. M&D have taught me to be very clean as you can see from this video!




After opening presents we had dinner and then headed up to Vermont for a few nights. I did really well on the 6 hour car-ride. I even entertained myself with Patty-Cake.




However, M made the mistake of telling me about the pool at the hotel about 10 miles from town and I couldn't understand why I couldn't swim right this instance!! I made up for it the next day when M, my aunts & uncles and Grandpa went skiing. I took Grandma to the pool and spent the whole day there (ok so only 4 hours in 3 different shifts!). That night we all went to a Japanese steakhouse. I was so enthralled with the Hibachi chef. We also toured Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory before leaving Vermont and saw three covered bridges. Anyhow, once we headed back to NJ I spent the next few days just sightseeing around G&G house. We went for a few walks, took all my naps (trying to push Aunt R. off M&D's bed one time when she napped with me--hey a girl needs her space!), had a snowball fight, went into NY to Coney Island to get a hot dog and to see the window displays, played with all my new toys (and some old ones as well!) and just hung out. With being the only grandchild I got plenty of attention!! I had tons of fun with G&G and my aunts and uncles. Isn't Mommy's family wonderful?!

And aren't I a cutie in one of my new outfits?!

Early Christmas

Since we will be gone for Christmas Eve, we celebrated with Daddy's family on Sunday. Here's a picture of me unwrapping one present. Mommy thinks I got spoiled, but I guess that's the beauty of being the baby!!! Doesn't Daddy have a nice family? That's me hiding way in the back!!!!
Here I am with all my cousins.

I head out to New Jersey tomorrow morning. I can't wait. I know G&G are very excited to see me and I am very excited to see them!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE!!!

Potty training

So no pictures or videos for this post.... But I surprised Mommy Friday night by wanting to use the toilet. Even more surprising, at least to Mommy is that I was actually successful in my attempt. So Saturday morning Mommy tried again with no success. But later that day when we were at the bookstore i found a Elmo Potty book that I would not let go off. I really wanted to take it out of the store, so Mommy caved in and figured she would read it to me and try again Sunday. I was successful twice before church Sunday, then again just before we left the church, and before and after my nap. So according to Mommy I am officially starting potty training. I am not always successful and so definitely aren't getting rid of the diapers too soon. But as long as I am interested and having some success, Mommy figures she needs to encourage me.
However, once Mommy got out the potty my size, I really just wanted to sit on it and play with it. So actually I am more success on the big toilet (i guess because I know it's not a toy!!!) With Mommy having the rest of this week and most of next week off for Christmas, we'll see how far I get in this adventure!!

Santa

I went to visit Santa today at Daddy's work. There were also clowns playing games, people making balloon animals (or in my case a cute hat), a gaint mouse and Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer. I got to eat a cookie and drink some punch before going to sit on Santa's lap. He was very nice and jolly. He even gave me a Tickle Me Cookie Monster. On the way home all I could talk about was Santa (at least that was the only word M&D could understand!!). He made my day, especially considering I am trying to push my "jaw" teeth through. One popped through Thursday morning, so now only 3 more.

Day at the museum

On Sunday I went to go the Denver Nature and Science museum with a few of my friends. We had a lot of fun. I got to see dinosaurs, gems and animals. There was a lot of interactive things for me to do also. I put a bone puzzle together, rode a llama in the hallway, climbed up to see the bear and even had the stroller protect me from a walking dinosaur strolling the halls. Quite a busy day...it's a good thing I had a nap on the drive down there.

The best part about the whole day was my discovery of drinking fountains. Mommy forgot my cup and both my friends had theirs, so I kept asking for a drink. Mommy finally let me try a drinking fountain to get a little water. I couldn't get enough.

I kept asking for MORE. Although towards the end Mommy couldn't tell if more water was getting in my mouth or on my shirt!!!

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Snow Days

It has finally snowed in Loveland. I have been enjoying the snow immensely. I even went to the park the other week in my snowsuit.
Last weekend we enjoyed a weekend in a cabin at the YMCA. (One of Mommy's perks for working is getting 7 comp nights a year.) There wasn't much snow,but I found a good spot to learn to sled.
I even helped M&D shovel the drive the other night.

18 month pictures (a little early...)

On Tuesday night M&D took me to get my picture taken. If I do say so myself, I'm pretty cute. Here is just a select sampling, most of which we didn't purchase in prints (but got the CD+copyright permission of all 55 poses FREE for purchasing 6 poses in prints).

Notice my shirt reads "Daddy's girl." He's my best bud and is really fun to play with. He knows all sorts of fun games, like Tickle Brileigh, Going to get you..., Horse-riding, and Chase the Dog. I like spending each late afternoon with him before Mommy gets home from work!

A lot of my pictures ended up being action shots. Come on...I'm way too busy to sit or stand still for a photo. One of the best pictures (at least in Mommy's opinion) is of me running full boar towards her with my big smile, although they only purchased one 10x13 in B&W. This is my run when I want to be picked up and raised high in the air. A few times Mommy tried in vain to keep me still. But then after all that work i just had to lounge and relax. Notice my ear grab...that's my tired sign. It's hard work being this cute all the time!!

Being silly

As I’ve mentioned before I am a big help around the house. Recently Daddy was eating leftover Halloween candy downstairs. He had the nerve not to share it with me; Mommy says I couldn’t have eaten it even if he had offered—something about it being too hard for me—but that’s not the point. Anyhow, Daddy was just piling his wrappers up on the footstool so he could throw them away later. I figured I would be helpful and throw them away for him. It took me 4 trips (Mommy only got 3 on video)!

Mommy also got my facination with dipping sauces on video. We had chicken nuggets and french fries the other night, so Mommy gave me ketchup. However, Mommy likes eating them with ranch and Daddy with BBQ sauce, plus the ketchup for the fries. So when I saw M&D using the different sauces, I wanted them too. Once they were on my plate, I couldn't make up my mind which one to use, so I just used them all at once.

Animal sounds....

Animals are so much fun. I especially love cats, dogs, ducks, sheep and horses. I am just beginning to learn all the different sounds they make. Here’s a video of Daddy teaching me. I point to an animal in my book and then Daddy makes the sound.
It is even more fun when he adds a little head-butting and tickling while making the cat and dog sounds.
Dogs are my favorite! Anytime I’m outside and hear a dog barking I always have to stop what I’m doing and look for it. The past 3 weeks I enjoyed playing with Val while M&D were at work; she would share her toys with me and let me play giddy-up! I also learned how to open the doggy door at L&L
when we stayed there for a night. It’s a good thing M&D do not have a latching baby gate, because I think I would have figured it out already. Sometimes M&D tell me that I am too smart for my own good!

Mommy started decorating for Christmas. She put animated deer outside on our lawn, which I get to help Daddy plug in each night. After playing in the park Saturday late afternoon, Mommy and I plugged the deer in before heading into the house. I just had to give each of them a hug bye-bye before I could leave.

Yesterday, my cousin had a theme birthday party and I got to dress up in a poodle skirt. Don't I look cute? Too bad I was born half a century too late--I really think I could have pulled that look off!!

Gaither concert

Recently I went to my first concert! When Mommy was 5 months pregnant with me, M&D along with L&L and G&P went to a Signature Sound concert and I just absolutely loved it. I was kicking and dancing the whole time; so when Gaither Homecoming concert series was coming to Colorado, M&D decided that I would enjoy it. I love southern gospel music. Shortly after Mommy went back to work and Daddy started picking me up from daycare, Mommy would come home to Gaither music blaring from the TV. Daddy said it helped to calm me on those days when I was just a little fussier than usual. He would turn it on and bounce with me in time to the music. Anyhow last Friday I finally got to go see them in person. It was lots of fun. It helped that the few chairs around us were empty, so I could run up and down the aisle. I did finally fall asleep for the second half of the concert, but woke up as we were leaving. M&D had fun also. Daddy thought it was the best one he had ever been too since the quartets were featured more than the family groups. Mommy also thought it was good but after 4 1/2 hours (the last two holding a sleeping girl!), she was ready for it to be over. We got back to L&L house about 12:20and I finally fell back to sleep by 1. It's not my fault that M&D woke me up putting my coat on and then took me out into the cold windy night. It is only logical that I woke up and that it took me a while to fall back to sleep.

In the morning when I woke up I was digging through the suitcase and my diaper bag and came across two fussies. I usually only get them for my nap or when I wake up "too early" (according to Mommy) and she is trying to get me to sleep for another hour, so I took advantage of my find and stuck both in my mouth at the same time. I guess Mommy thought it was funny!!

Fun filled Saturday

Daddy took me swimming on Saturday. Mommy was supposed to go with us, but she forgot her suit, so she just had to sit and watch all our fun. I climbed in and out of the baby pool and then walked all around the hot tub. It was tons of fun.

Later that day Mommy and I went to a neighborhood potluck. It was tons of fun with lots of good food. I got to play with my friends while Mommy talked. However, Mommy thinks I am a little bit of a bully--I say I was just trying to give love. There were 2 eleven-month olds at the potluck. I was so excited to give them love, that I would run up to them whether they were sitting or standing and give them hugs. Sometimes my hugs would result in both of us falling down. I even went so far as to pick up one of the girls to help her get into her bouncer toy. Mommy caught me pretty fast, so I didn't get far with her. Luckily both their Mommy's were very understanding to my love-giving. I just don't quite know my own strength, especially when I am twice the size. I'm used to running around trying to keep up with my older cousins, I forget that sometimes (now that I'm almost 17 months) I am the older one. Mommy soon sent me in to play with the older kids and I played blocks, read books and got along quite well with the 2 year old.

Getting ready for supper!

I am a big help around the house.I help Mommy with supper every night. I can set the table.I also call Daddy to the table every night. In this video I also show Mommy where her chair is (cause sometimes I think she forgets!) Before we eat we have to say our prayers. It is fairly long, so I always just shorten it to "Jesus."I also have dinner entertainment. Daddy is always so funny.

Happy Halloween

The whole concept of putting things into a bag is very cool. I love moving things, but almost more enjoy putting things in and out. So this whole trick-or-treating thing was right up my alley. We went over to Uncle L's house for a birthday/costume party. After eating supper, my cousins and I went to get candy! The first house I wasn't really sure what to do, but Mommy went up with me to help. Once they put the candy in my bag, I was hooked. The third house was nice enough to give me the candy so that I could put it in the bag myself. On the way back to Uncle L's house, Mommy asked me if I wanted to go trick-or-treating to Gramma. I stopped, looked at her and said, "Tric tret?" and started dragging my bag behind me. Here's a video of me trick-or-treating to Aunt J.

sorry it is so dark and sideways, but it was the best one Mommy took.

I dressed up as a Bronco cheerleader all day. Don't I look cute?

Phew-wee....

Recently I have started telling M&D when I have a dirty diaper by plugging my nose and saying "phew-wee." Then it is time for my bath! I help get all my toys into the tub. Some of my favorite toys are the cars that squirt water at me. I also really like my duckies and just putting all my toys into a big bucket and dumping them back out.

Cars, Horses and Shoes

Mommy says I have her sense of humor--the love of slapstick! You tell me what could be funnier than Daddy causing 2 cars to crash. It was even funny the second time around when I was helping Mommy pick out the videos for the blog. Mommy had to play this clip for me 3 times, because I just couldn't stop laughing!!!

I had fun the other day putting on Mommy's shoes.
I couldn't quite get them on, but I sure was trying.

Last week while M&D were setting up for Sunday School, Pastor let me play with the organ. SO now I think that I just have to play it anytime we're at the church.
I even figured out how to use the different tones--Mommy thinks it is just because I like to move things!

I have gotten much better at playing with my rocking horse.
Everytime I go in my room I have to ride it at least once through the gallop.

When I'm not busy playing I sometimes sit down long enough to look at my books.