16 Months, Tomorrow

Even though February is supposed to be a short month, I felt like it dragged on forever over here. We have been super busy and I feel like we have been running from one thing to the next. While that is not always bad, I am ready for some down-time. Unfortunately, our Spring calendar is already PACKED!

Lyla is 16 months??!! So crazy. She is such a joy and so fun to be around. She has such a personality, not one specific personality type, just a little bit of everything. She is my quiet-thinker (she is not a girl full of words), but she can also be wild, crazy, and LOUD! She loves being outside even more, which I did not believe was even possible. If I let her live outside, she would. She is always asking to "go" out the "door". She hates her stroller and hates shopping. Yes, my shopping buddy has disappeared. Why does she hate it? Because she does not want to be restrained for any amount of time, when she could be outside running around doing her own thing. Oh well. So most of our days, after her naps, are spent at the park. Which I am so THANKFUL to have a wonderful park so close. She loves listening to the birds and looking for them as they fly.

We are working on saying "please" and "thank you" because the whining thing is not working for this mama. And she is also working on sharing. Being around kids her age more often, I want her to be a good sharer from an early age.  

This month, since our condo is back on the market, we have been busy doing a lot of cleaning. Lyla has a love-hate relationship with the vacuum cleaner. But, since we have been using it so much, it has become her friend and she even likes to push it around herself now. She has also found a love of the mop, or the broom, or anything that she can push around and pretend to clean the floors with. I can ask her to clean the floor and hand her a paper towel and she will wipe up the floor. It is too cute. Probably won't last for long once she realizes chores are no fun! But I love having her as my little buddy. This is such a precious age. Yes, I STILL cannot get enough!!

She loves to play picnic and tea party. She will make sure I eat and drink all that she fixes for me to eat. She loves to stir the tea in her cup and set everything up on the plates and carry them somewhere else for us to eat. She has gotten really good at doing her puzzles and gets really frustrated when she cannot get the piece in just right.

When she is done with her meal, instead of saying all done, because yes it's true she does not talk much (and by talk I mean use words, this girl is loud and vocal though) she hands me all the food off her tray if she does not have a plate, and if she does have a plate or bowl, she will put all her food on the plate/in the bowl, and then hand it to me.

She is independent and loves to do things by herself, but if she finds she cannot do it, she will ask for help. It always melts my heart when she comes to me asking for help when she needs it. Even though she is SO independent, she still loves to be held and makes sure she does not miss out on anything. She is loving my new iphone (yes I just got one) and loves that she can FaceTime her Aunt Sarah anytime she wants to.

Last weekend Lyla and I went to my parents' condo in Hilton Head with Courtney and her daughter Eva. Adam had to go to a conference in Washington DC, so we jumped on the opportunity to go to the beach and not just sit at home. It was so great to get away and enjoy the beach. Man, I wish we lived at the beach! I am so grateful that my parents are always so excited for others to share their condo with them! The girls had such a great time together and were always so excited when they woke up in the mornings to find their friend was still there! I love having friends with kids the same age as Lyla. Not only do I love it for Lyla, but having someone in the same place in life as me, that can truly understand the whole stay-at-home mom sort of thing is so nice.

Loves the swing and insisted on wearing her bear backpack/leash.

Lots of wagon rides! We will have to get one of these. Lyla loved it!!

Friends riding on the beach.

The slide, which she has learned to do by herself.

Waiting patiently for lunch at Salty Dog.

Pretty Eva.

Team work.

The moments I will never forget.

Love this girl.

Bath together every night. I think these girls could live in the bath.

She went in the freezing water and fell, so her pants were wet. Made for cute pictures.

I love seeing life through this girl's eye. I am so in love with her. So blessed to have been chosen to be her mommy and have these special moments with her.