14 Fantastic Months

Dear funny girl,

Here I go again. Another love letter and another month has passed which means that you are just a little bit older. :/ On one hand this means we are inching closer to the talking phase (which I am oh so excited about) but on the other hand we are getting further and further away from those sweet baby moments. We've had a lot going on this past month but don't you worry...I've been keeping track of your every move. Here's a recap of your 13th month......

Let's get one thing straight. You still love food. I realize you are probably surprised by this. ;) You pulled one of your most impressive stunts this month. During your first week at Ms Paula's daycare you were in heaven. Not only because you had eleven new friends and playmates.....but you also got a second breakfast each morning. Your bonehead mama wasn't used to this organized daycare style and have been feeding your breakfast before going to the babysitter's since you were born. So I did just that whenever you started there. It wasn't until I heard her mention what you ate for breakfast that I realized you were eating double. Lol!! I got a huge laugh out of it because you obviously didn't protest or have any problems eating a second time each morning. That's the Hallie I know and love. You have expanded your diet this month and given your approval or disapproval for several new foods. Black beans, black-eyed peas, kiwi, cottage cheese, raspberries and too many other things to list. It still remains, you like just about everything. I recall writing a blog about your future occupation back when you were one month old. I jokingly stated that an option would be a professional eater who earned money participating in eating contests. Kobayoshi ain't got nothin' on you Hallie. I'm telling you girl, you can put away food faster than you can say "Nathan's hotdog eating contest." I wish I could get a video of you doing your speed eating but I haven't been able to catch one yet....usually because I'm too busy putting the food on your plate so that you will have something to eat...it disappears so quickly! Your dad and I can be found at many a mealtime laughing at your vacuuming method of eating. You got it from your mama....we can love food together!

"Bananas are good for the soul"

"Is anybody gonna finish this?"

Now with all this food shoveling you would think that you had grown a lot this past month. Well, kinda. You grew up instead of out. Your feet grew too and you went up one shoe size. We had to retire a couple pairs of your tennis shoes. :( Only to be replaced by a couple of new pairs. :) You are wearing a wide range of sizes as far as clothes go. You can squeeze into 6-12 months sweaters, 9 months pajamas, 18 months outfits, 12 months pants, 2T dresses (what!?!). You are all over the board which suits me just fine because it means we get to use everything in your closet...it ALL seems to fit! You have begun wearing shoes on a more regular basis. Daycare calls for socks since you do so much running around...don't want you tripping all day. You got your first pair of Toms this month thanks to Aunt Ky! It won't be your last pair either...they are so cute! It's probably about time to start sorting through your clothes...out with the old and in with the new for fall!

It's been said before and I don't think it's going to ever change....you. are. silly. Getting more silly by the day. Especially when your dad is around. I live with a couple of silly fools! Whether you are learning funny faces or he's teaching you some ridiculous new skill, you guys always have me laughing. You can be found sticking your face up against the door glass, dribbling juice from your mouth and laughing about it, holding your cup upside down just to watch the milk drip out, standing up and face planting on the bed for fun, brushing your hair with your toothbrush, brushing your teeth with your hairbrush (that's a favorite) and so many other things that make me love you even more.

"I'm not gonna lie....I feel kind of exposed at the moment"

"Are these glasses a good look for me?"

That looks means trouble

Your motor skills are becoming more refined. We have noticed that you are able to play with your toys more appropriately and use your index finger to point to things and press your toys with greater accuracy. It's so amazing to watch you learn how to play. Your friends at daycare must be teaching you good things. I'm not sure who taught you how to drive though......

"I need some gas money!"

I have been so incredibly pleased with our switch to Ms Paula's daycare. It has been a blessing to us, our schedule and my sanity. It's a worry-free, stress free situation. Good things come to those who wait I guess? Well honey, we've been waiting and we've found a place to stay put. You get a good report everyday and sometimes you don't even want to leave when I pick you up. Break my heart, why dontcha!? You have huge goodbye kisses for her everyday and huge smiles each morning when I drop you off. That's not to say that there is no crying when I turn to leave. It's a toss-up....some mornings I can sneak out without a whimper and other mornings you are a little more fragile. But I hear that the crying lasts approximately two seconds and you are running around with your friends. Funny story from last week: Paula recalled your morning nap that you decided to randomly take in the middle of the playroom floor. Let it be documented here: Hallie's first voluntary nap outside of a caged area. "Caged" seems like a harsh term. Ok, I'll say "confined" space. She says you literally passed out on the floor mid-morning and took a quick snooze while others played. Silly girl.

You had a mean ol' sickness this month that left you down for the count for over a week. A constant fever and painful ears and throat. You had your mama a paranoid wreck! Thank goodness for Nanny who helped out so much when I couldn't stay home from work with my sick girl. I guess we still aren't out of the woods with the ear infection saga. We've cut back on the bike rides to avoid all of the wind in your ears. We also stopped our morning rides to stay out of the cooler morning temperatures. Speaking of cooler temps, you survived your first extreme heat wave. Go you!!! It was a beast of a summer!

You sleep like a pro. No changes, problems, worries to report in this department! PTL!!!!!!! All of this good sleep on your part has left you with extra energy to be momma's little helper.....

"Come on Emmi, let's get our chores done"

You don't walk. YOU RUN! Everywhere. On any surface. Even this horribly rough grass we have here at the rent house. I won't even walk on this crunchy stuff.....

The fall count has obviously increased and I can't say we've avoided boo boos this month. You got your first real boo boo this week. I have no story to tell because we have absolutely no idea how you acquired this lovely accessory. Mother of the year award right here!!! Even better is the fact that we have family pictures scheduled for Sunday this week. Here's a pic of your mystery boo boo......

Sassiness is in your blood. But you balance this trait out with plenty of lovey doveyness. You are by sweet baby girl. So many kisses handed out each day I can't even keep track. So many hugs that I probably have notches around my neck where you hang on. You have more love for your canine friends that I can even describe. They make you laugh for no reason. You love to cuddle with them on the bed each morning and pet their backs. I don't think they know how lucky they are to have a friend like you. So much love in that little body of yours.....

Let's give you something to talk about!! Still not a lot of talking going on but plenty of chatter and babbling to keep the noise level up in the house. You are still perfecting "dada", "mama" and "dog." You mouth things that you can't say yet...cutest thing ever. You mouth  words like "papa" and "bye" and "more please." We're ready to hear that little voice whenever you are ready to chat with us! I can just see that you have so many words right on the tip of your tongue just waiting to come out. It's so fun to watch you learn and understand more each day. You are very aware of routines and you know when our routines change. Each morning you walk into the bathroom and open the drawer to hunt for your toothbrush and toothpaste. You give your teeth three mediocre swipes and then tote these two items around the rest of the morning. After bathtime we go do your diapering, lotioning and dressing routine followed by your initiation of your hair-brushing routine. You know when meal time is approaching and I can find you waiting at your high chair pounding on the footrests telling me you are ready and willing to eat. You are also becoming more aware of what certain things mean. Such as walking toward the garage...you realize we are headed to the car and this doesn't always set well with you. Speaking of car troubles...oh my....I don't think this will ever change. I hate being in the car too, baby girl. Funny thing is I've only disliked being in the car for 14 months. Ironic, huh? ;)

I hope someday when you read this that you will understand just how much I love you. Everything about you. The way you smile. The way you wrinkle your nose when you laugh. The way your little teeth sparkle. The way you love your canine friends. The way you light up when your daddy walks in the room. The way you look at me like you can't live without me. The feeling is mutual. I can't live without you and I can't remember how I ever did.

I love you,

Mama