One Point Five

Yesterday the Miss officially turned 18 months old.

I didn't blog about it on the actual day because well, the time seemed to have gotten away from me between figuring out what on earth she's whining for now and cleaning up the saucy disaster that penne and meatballs was I just wanted to flop into bed and not come out for a while.

Baby girl is a year and a half old now! And independent! And talking!

Yikes. This child needs to slow things down a bit or else.

She has words now. Many words. It's empowering for her but also so very frustrating. I can see in her eyes when she has something really important to express but can't get it together to tell me. That's where the whining comes in but we're working on using our words and she seems to be getting it.

She can say:
down
please
eat
fish
dog
duck
milk
cracker
no
don't touch

I'm sure I'm missing one or two but that list is pretty impressive for a wee one.

Her love for books has suddenly returned with gusto and she will often come over with a book whether or not I'm in the middle of doing something, reach for my hand and place it on the book and then reach for me. She's rather demanding. Much of our day is spent with her by my side needing to know exactly what I'm doing and why.

She is starting to become more curious about the potty and will actually go into the bathroom and put her little seat onto the toilet and then wait for me to come in and strip her down. Most of the time there isn't anything that  happens but the desire she has to do it has got to be a good sign right?

Noella is also just starting to figure out how to shake her head yes. It has me rather excited because it's hard to interpret which no actually means yes most of the time.

She still LOVES to dance. She is starting to sing along with songs she knows. It makes me giggle a little bit because when I was little I sang all the time whether or not music was on. When we're cleaning in the afternoon I'll turn on a music channel and she dances around the house with a damp cloth swiping it on anything she pleases. (Yes, my 18 month old cleans with me. But mostly it's just to keep her entertained too.)

Mostly, she's just a super sweet and super smart little one who loves to climb on everything. She still will come over and lay her head on me or ask to be held so she can snuggle me for a moment. It can be a rough job raising a toddler but  it's moments like these that make the hard days worth it.

Two years

Right about this time exactly two years ago, this photo was taken.

I was preparing for the biggest event in my life to that point. My wedding day.

As I look back on that day, I am filled with joy knowing that when I walked down the aisle in my white dress that Jason was there waiting for me. His eyes were filled with tears of excitement and love. It was perfect.

So many things have happened in our little life since that day. We've moved 3 times in two different states, we've become parents to the most wonderful little girl anyone could ask for. We have had our shares of fights and more than our share of laughter. We've been through a lot but the most important part is that we've been through it together.

He chose my particular brand of crazy and for that I'm eternally grateful. I can't think of anyone else who is as unconditionally loving as he is. He never fails to make me laugh even when I'm at my breaking point of frustration. I couldn't ask for more.

Jason has taught me a lot about life and about love. That a willingness to meet your partner halfway and some days a little more is an absolute must. He has taught me how to step back and take care of me too. He has taught me the importance of stability. He is my rock. The one I can always turn to and while he may not always understand why I'm feeling what I am (for heaven's sake sometimes I don't even know why I'm upset) he's always there to snuggle me.

He is my electric blanket when my feet are cold. He is the only man I know willing to ask for seconds of burnt crock pot chili. He rubs my back without having to be asked. He always holds my hand in the car. He is the most loving Daddy I've ever met. Jason Chauvin is home for me.

(In case you missed it, here is last year's anniversary post!)

For Her

I suppose I put together this montage of photos to prove to myself that even if it seems like Noella and I don't have any photos together we do in fact have a few. It's hard to get in the photo when you're the one behind the camera. 

The very last photo of Noella an I was taken yesterday in my driveway using the timer on my camera and a very nifty tripod. I took this because I realized that in our handful of photos together that we have major gaps in time. I'd like to decrease those gaps so that when she looks back on these photos she won't just see herself but that I was there too. 

Yes, some may argue that the mere fact that I was taking the photo meant that I was also there but it isn't quite the same. Documenting yourself on the floor with your child playing or perhaps chasing them in the yard takes some imagination and careful planning but it can be done. It should be done. I want Noella to know that I was there with her. Playing an active role and not just as a passive observer. As she gets older she'll be able to capture these memories for herself in her brain but for these first years, these most precious first years, I want to be there too. 

That's why friends, I'm starting a sort of self challenge to make more of an effort to haul out the tripod and capture us. And by us I mean my whole family. Mister, the Miss and me, Puddin' Pop. 

Here's to documenting the little moments because at the end of the day, those are what count. 

Heartbreaker

 This child never fails to crush my heart into a pulp every day.

Everyday is something new. A new word, an new skill, something she's finally figured out how to play with. She's an ever changing little ball of energy and 90% of the time I wish I could push the pause button. But at the same time, I marvel at her accomplishments and how quickly she's progressing in this wild world. She doesn't miss a tick and is so interested in every move I make. She sweeps the floor and will wipe down the coffee table for me if I give her a damp cloth. She can blocks 5 high and has an ever expanding curiosity for whatever I'm doing in the kitchen. She even pretends to cook with a wisk and my pots and pans.

She's going to be 18 months in 16 days for heavens sake. That's just over 2 weeks. What happened to this tiny one? 

Now she's off and doing things like this: 

She swims by herself now and has so many important things to tell me all day long. She even can carry on a conversation on the phone for crying out loud. She will play for a while and then wander over to me with a purpose, pat me on the lap and then babble something in a completely serious tone. She always waits for a response before she wanders away again. 

She has also developed quite the personality. This picture was taken today of her wearing her Daddy's socks. She even wants to pick out her own clothes. Whether or not they actually fit. I can't wait until she actually starts to dress herself. Oh the outfits this child is going to create.

She's breaking my heart with every new adventure but no one can stop progress so I'm trying my darndest to capture every moment of it.