Leah Hope 18 months

It's here. She is a year and a half old. When I say it like that it seems so big and so small. You know in the grand scheme of things- 1 1/2 isn't much. But seems monumental to this Mom. This was my fave age by far with Ayla bc it was the time she seemed to soak up so much and became a true toddler.

But, Leah has been totally different from Ayla from the very beginning. So full of energy and life, def not shy like her sister. I love that they are different- makes it fun around here. She still has her loud, intense moments, but it seems like they are less frequent. Since her vocabulary is so big, if you tell her calmly to use her words she typically stops hollaring and lowers her voice and tells us what she wants. Most of the time she yells only for your attention anyways... no patience, this one. No clue where she got that. :)

This month has flown by and in 5 days she will be 19 months old. So I better hurry up and post this!

Leah, this year and half has been the busiest, loudest, silliest, best ever... Ayla, Daddy and I love you SO much and we couldn't imagine our days without you. Thanks for the spunk you give every day.

Leah Hope: 18 months

Can now jump with both feet off the ground. This is 6 mo sooner than Ayla completed this task.

Speaking so well in full 4 word sentenses. Sometimes words are a little muffled still, but getting better.

Wearing 18-24 mo some 2T clothes. Size 4 diapers. Size 6-7 shoes. Chubby feet

Fave toy lately has been baby dolls. Pushing them in stroller, dressing, and rocking them. Sometimes a little rough with baby, too ha That's just Leah.

Will do anything Ayla does. And would follow her to the ends of the earth.

Sleeps really well through the night usually 830pm-8am. Napping once a day 2-4pm.

Starting to recognize when there are letters on objects like shirts and signs. She mostly says "P" to any letter. But its neat to see that she is recognizing what they are. Doing the same with numbers and can count to 3.

Still very much loves to dance and sing. This girl has rhythm too!

Knows most her body parts really well even the hard ones. New faves are cheeks, tongue, and elbow.

At 18mo well check: Hit all milestones 33 in tall, 27 lbs

What a difference 18 months has made on my life.... I love you.

Recap

This is a quick recap...
my internet has been down for the majority of a week or we've been consuming with activities.
Some of you know I'm trippin' it with my mom this weekend for her birthday, so I thought I may as well get up to date on here first.

So here it goes.


We went to the pumpkin patch one last time..

carved pumpkins as a family...

squeezed in a little trick or treating...

competition season officially began...

and we were the cutest coutry bumpkin' family at our church's trunk or treat celebration!

Or at least.. I think so :)

Hope you all are enjoying the rest of fall.

Please pray for my anxieties in traveling without my family.

Halloween 2010

Today we hosted our playgroup Halloween party.
It was loud. It was fun.
It was loud & fun.

Before all the kiddos arrived I snapped a few pics of the girls in their gear. This
Halloween like most weeks lately are Full! So I am not even sure of the girl's Halloween shedules-
and/or if we'll get to actually trick or treat.


The girls were fairly cooperative.

She's the cat's meow...

All Ayla talked about was being a black kitty for Halloween.
We found this sweet cat-erina (cat/ballerina) and couldn't pass it up.

A couple of my favorite people.

Isn't she doggon' cute?

I think so. I thought they would be the same thing for Halloween, but when I mentioned Leah being a kitty too.
She wasn't thrilled about the idea. Hmm. Dog it is!
Can't wait to see what you're kiddos (or you) are dressing up as!

Pumpkin Painting

Today we had our friend Meredith over to paint some pumpkins. It was a gloomy, rainy day and we needed an outlet. I think the girl's all enjoyed it and it gave us Mommy's a chance to talk too!

I was looking at the creations sitting on my table after completion. Sorry no pic. But I noticed how the girls painted really fit their personalities. Ayla's paint all stayed in its spots, not mixed or touching. She painted the whole pumpkin. Ayla likes order and is very cautious on how she does things.

Mere's palette of paint was smooshed and mixed. She painted her hands, the placemat, and my table once she was bored of her pumpkin. But, was very into the colors and wanted more. Meredith is very fun and creative. And is busy!

Leah kept her paint palette unmixed but painted not only her pumpkin but her face. She wasn't concerned to finish her project but loved doing what the big girl's did! Leah is busy just like Mere, but thrives on order like her sis. She is messy and silly just like her creation.

I love all 3 of these girls and their fun personalities!

Catch Up

Today is catch up day.
I'll get around to milestones some other time.
Today let's talk about some of the things that have taken up our time...

My nephew Parker turned 4!
We had a great party at the park. Girls loved the cake and playing.

Isn't he cute?

Leah tried to get a little too close to Miss Maren, her 2nd cousin.

Ayla sliding and enjoying a sucker, probably not a great idea now that I look at the picture. Choking hazard, check.

Ayla started up her library classes again this year. She has asked me about them all summer. Very excited! They read, do craft, and sing. Leah even participated a little. Just this time last year I carried her in her pumpkin seat. Probably easier! ha

Dance classes are going well for Ayla. She really enjoys them. This is her doing her favorite "Im a little Teapot" dance. Hopefully, she'll continue to love dance through her years like her mama. Ps. a certain little girl will be 3 1/2 soon. Crazy.

Phew...

I have been one busy lady. With dance, advertising & signing up for my hip hop class (still openings!), family, etc... I feel super worn out. At times I feel like I have accomplished alot and hopefully not for nothing.

I look forward to being back on a schedule with dance so that I can eat dinners with my family and empty my camera card before I forgot we even did 'this or that'. The girls are going through a lot of fun stages & changes. Leah seems more mature, especially with her verbal abilities. Her temper is easier to handle and she loves to learn! Ayla is gaining knowledge that I pushed on her so much a while back- I didn't even know she was paying attention. She'll count things and notice alot more about our surroundings. So very curious!

Leah turned 18mo over a week ago and I need to get that post up soon. Maybe tonight.... after 2 dance practices and a hot shower we'll see? :)

Ch-Ch-Changes...

So, I, the self proclaimed one to never join Facebook.... joined Facebook. Ha. I am starting up some youth hip-hop classes at the studio in town and needed a fast way to get the word out. Thus, FB. I gotta be honest. I don't get it quite yet. I am a computer geek, but dont understand the hype and workings and why some change their status very few hours. (sorry if you are one of "those" ha)

But I have exchanged messages with some friends from college I hadn't spoke with in a while. And hopefully it will get me some good advertisment for my class. And speaking of my class..



Youth hip hop classes at Step-n-Style starting November 10th. I will be teaching 5 wk sessions with breaks between sessions. I'll offer a 7-11 yr old class 630-715pm and 12 & up class 715-8pm every Wednesday. Each session will feature a new, fun routine for dancers. Dancers will also learn basic moves, combonations and a few tricks. Session fee $45



Spread the word. Its gonna be alot of fun!



Dance season is already in full swing me though. We have our first competition the end of this month. Phew. Hopefully, we'll be ready. I mean.. we're totally gonna be ready! ha This is my fave competition of the year bc its a sound & light show. Girls compete on a stage instead of gym floor. Spectators get in free so if anyone wants to come support, you are welcome!



Im also planning my first trip to Vegas with my mom for her birthday. We are going with a few of her friends for a long weekend. I think it will be neat to see shows and eat and relax, but leaving my girls puts knots in my stomach. We are trying out a new sitter. I think once the girls spend some more time with her I will feel better. She is going to help me out when I pick up the studio classes plus some Mommy time.