Terrific Two's

Kylea's 2!!  I don't know how it happened, but it did.  It's been such a fun two years.  We've gotten to know this fun-loving, spirited little girl.  She makes us laugh and brightens our lives immeasurably!  We are so glad you are a part of our lives, Kylea!!

To celebrate the birthday girl we went downtown to the brand new City Creek Center.  It's beautiful!  Seriously how many malls can you say that about?  But it really is!

escalator ride up to the mall

 We took the Birthday girl to The Disney Store and let her roam around and pick a present.  It was the biggest Disney Store I have ever seen, complete with a princess castle, big screen tv and every Disney toy and trinket you can imagine.  At first she didn't know what to do with herself, she just stood in the middle of the store, looking around with the widest eyes I have ever seen.  Eventually she began exploring, and exploring (we spent 45 minutes in there) she eventually decided on a stuffed Maximus the horse toy.

 Next, we visited Sephora (a make-up store) Kylea was going to hang outside with Daddy and Grandpa and look at the fish in the creek but she eventually made her way into the store and tried on some lipstick.  She LOVES makeup.


The next day, we invited friends and family over for a Rapunzel princess party.

Welcome to our Rapunzel party!

 The cake that I made for my little princess.  The outside I piped rosettes with pearl centers and the inside is a rainbow cake (two layers and 6 colors!  It was a huge hit with Kylea and the kids)

We chatted and hung out with friends.

Opened presents, with LOTS of help from playgroup friends, haha!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Princess!  We love you so much!!

                                     

Talking Baby

Have you missed us? Remember when I wrote about Kylea's first stomach bug? Well, we have been sick, sick, sick and more sick since then.  We've had a stomach virus, a regular cold, RSV, and Kylea's first ear infection. The good news is, everyone is feeling much better now but it has been a long month.

It feels like the changes happen so quickly.  Kylea is now talking.  She can only put a couple words together at a time but it's still very exciting!  She is acquiring new words at lightning speeds.  She parrots back new words every day.  

She can say, "bye, bye dadda" or if we are leaving the dog behind she says "bye, bye, woo-woo" she can say "hi"  she points to things and asks, "What that?" She can ask for "more", milk, shoes, and to read a book.  She loves to point out all the babies and says, "baby".  She will say "thank-you" if you give her something.  She's great at saying No and Yes. She recently added the words, Nana and Papa to her ever growing vocabulary. And much more!  

I say it at every age, but this is by far my most favorite age.  She gasps and runs to the door when her daddy comes home.  She gives the best hugs and kisses.  She can point to her nose and eyes and mouth.  She knows the sounds that all the animals make. She is curious about the world and points and babbles.  She has the brightest and most beautiful smile in the whole world and the best part is she uses it often.  She sings when music comes on and dances. It's so fun watching her learn and grow.

She's getting really good at climbing.  I left to grab her a shirt for the day and came back to find her standing on the chair...yikes!

She puts her puzzles together all by herself now.

I wanna go outside mama!

She LOVES the snow.

She found a comfy chair.

She is in LOVE with this unicorn. She says "niegh!" and gives it kisses.

cutie pie

Putting her puzzle of the states together.

Copy Cat

Kylea is picking up on what it means to be a big girl. She loves eating with her brand new big girl Elmo fork, brushes her hair when she finds a brush laying around, she does all of her poo's in her very own potty

She knows hats go on your head 

and she LOVES talking on the phone

Gratitude

The pilgrims were smart.   Can you imagine the hardships they faced?  How many times do we whine when the waiter brings us lukewarm food.  Or the air conditioning isn't quite icy enough.  Or what about those times we are stuck in traffic.  It really seems silly compared to the battle for life and liberty that the pilgrims faced each and every day.  I am thankful that they set the precedent of gratitude.  We get the opportunity to reflect on our blessings, the things that make our life happier and better.  What a tremendous gift they gave us, the gift of gratitude!

As if right on the holiday cue our little one learned another word (she seems to acquire at least one or two a week these days).  Here she is displaying her skills. (and swelling her mommy's heart up with pride.  My 14 month old knows how to be polite!!! And grateful!)

I have so much to be grateful for.  Our lovely new home that we get to own.

My handsome husky dog that is so gentle and loving to the baby and encourages me to get out rain or shine for some exercise every day.

 My beautiful family.  And my handsome, hardworking husband, who I love with all my heart. 

My healthy, happy little girl.  I am thankful that I get to spend the days with her.  Her bright smile and spunky, feisty attitude light up my life.  I am grateful that I get to be the one to teach and influence her each day. I owe that blessing to my hardworking husband, did I mention I love him? I do! 

I hope that your Thanksgiving was filled with reflections on the things that make your life better.  Cheers to the good things in life!

Lately

She's a toddler. Through and through.

   

She explores everything

walks and runs like an old pro

Is acquiring new words every day.  Today she added the words dog and baby to her vocabulary.

She likes to practice her new words while she should be sleeping.  She woke up at 3am sat up in her crib and said, "no, nooo, no!........bye, bye!" her two favorites.  When she was done practicing she stood up looked across the room and said, "MaaaMaaa"

She has become extremely expressive.  We are well acquainted with this face.  I like to call it her business face.

She knows baby sign language.

She loves drawers and cupboards.

She has become accustomed to her schedule and holds me to it!  She walks to her potty when she wakes up in the morning. She runs to get the dog's leash after breakfast, holds her arms up and asks to nurse when it's nap time and runs to the bathroom after dinner gleefully shouting, "Baaa!  Baa!" (bath)

Books are her favorite toys ever.  She grabs a book and then backs up into the lap of anyone who will sit down with her....including the dog.

She knows pigs say oink, owls say whoo, and dogs say wooo.  Ask her, she'll gladly demonstrate her skills and then clap for herself afterward.  

She knows how to nuzzle her way into our hearts.

Photographic Tour of First Birthday Festivities!

ummmm...why did you all simultaneously burst into song whilst staring and smiling at ME??

step 1 of epic first birthday mess