Friday, July 3, 2009

15 months

These photos were taken a few weeks before she actually turned 15 months, but I love them and they really capture "her" overall right now so I wanted to post them with an update. At 15 months she's 21 lbs. 7 oz. (25th percentile) and 30 and a half inches (50th percentile). She is walking like a champ now and trying to run, though give her a wet diaper or let her miss a nap and she's tumbling all around-- falling and getting right back up again. She's a tough girl. She has an infectious giggle and laughs at the word "no" (uh oh!)... seriously, not so funny, but oh wait, then it is... oh great!! She uses well over 100 words and is starting to use phrases including "I don't know" , "I love you" ,"Ready, Set, Goooo" , "Where'd he/she go?" , and "right here". She's definitely a "talker" and a "reader" and the development of those skills are truly awesome to watch. She still loves books and is working on recognizing some sight words... I thought she was the world's smartest baby when she correctly pointed at the word "nose" and said "nose"... then, she pointed to "eyes" and said "nose". :) She also sings and dances and her Nana has her trying to "jump" (which is her bending her knees and standing back up while cracking up). She's a great eater and will eat just about anything (peaches with the skin on will come right back out). She loves avacado, bananas (we have to limit those), beans, and eggs. She loves to play "keep away" with Brady's ball and then offer it to her when she loses interest, only to turn to us and scream because Brady "took the ball". My "laid back" baby is becoming more intense these days, becoming frustrated when she cannot manipulate a toy etc. and inpatient if avacado doesn't magically appear instantly. :) Ahh, pre-toddlerhood. But, it is awesome. Truly. She now gives "hugs" laying her head down on your shoulder, will give kisses and head "bonks". I adore the time we spend in the rocker reading, singing and saying prayers before bed. Her favorite books are her "Bear Bible" and "I Love You Stinky Face". She loves the water and although daddy walking through the door still causes her face to light up and her fists to clench in excitement, she's in a bit of a "mommy" phase recently. Her hair and eyes are still light and she's getting little blonde curls in the back. Ok, I could go on and on... but enough for now. I just adore her. Every little thing. (In case you couldn't tell) :).


Here she is waiting to go "ou-si-eee". "bawl bawl bawl" "Braaa-eeee"....

She still LOVES her bunny...



"I Love You Stinky Face".

First Boating Trip


Several weeks ago we took Finley boating for the first time. She loved the boat and all the scenery but hated her life vest... we can't blame her-- it's very bulky. But, it has to be to work so we had a short day on the boat.


Finley was offering us her goldfish crackers that were her distraction from the life vest while we were stopped.


I guess she thinks she should hold on when with mommy :). Daddy was loving showing her the pelicans and sealife...


"Avacado"


Finley's newest, cutest word and favorite food is "avacado" -- she says it really fast and has started requesting it just about daily.

Park


Some fun shots from the park in our neighborhood... Finley loved sliding down the slide with mom. Unfortunately I couldn't slide and photograph...

Friends

Not only are we blessed with some amazing friends, but Finley has a pretty awesome baby circle of friends too... This collage certainly doesn't represent all of them, but I had some recent photos of get-togethers and events I wanted to share. Above sweet Ali celebrates turning ONE with a dairy-free and very yummy cupcake.
Below is Captain Trey at his 1st Birthday Pirate Bash... Check out the Ellis family blog for awesome photos from that day!!
Below... Hanging at the pool with (left to right) Kaitlyn, Trey, and Taylor.

Kaitlyn and Finley "dig" the water...

Trey and Taylor having fun in the sun at the pool...


Below is pool and pizza night at Beckett's house. Beckett's big sis Sophie is loving on Finley and hooking her up with goldfish...


Recently we FINALLY got to get together with our buddy Jacob (our birthdays are 3 days apart). We had so much fun playing and having lunch together. His house is like a toyland...


Finley and Jake looking for lizards...

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Mother's Day

Being her mom... I say all the time she makes my heart so full it could just burst. She's amazing and I love my mom even more now that I know what loving Finley is. And I didn't even know that was possible. My mom is amazing. And I'm so grateful for her, for our relationship and for her relationship with Finley. It was a really great Mother's Day.

My mom came up and we spent the afternoon at the pool. Then we headed back to the house and my "2nd mom" growing up, Janice, came over. Below are mom and Janice helping Finley run down the hill-- she loved it!

Finley and mommy after a great day... reading before bed is such special time together. I love to cuddle with her after her bath, before bed. It makes my day.

Outdoors Girl


"Brayeee" "Ousiieeee" "Bawlll"!!!


Finley loves being outside... even now that its getting "buggy" and hot. Hot like soup. She's walking all over... almost running through the soup and LOVES it!