We Are Family!: One and a Half

I just wanted to jot down a few things about my baby girl that I want to remember from this time.

I realized while putting this post together that I need to try to get more shots of her by herself! In my defense, she doesn't normally like to stay still long enough when I have my camera out.

-she is silly! initiates little games like chase.will take something over to anna and act like she is handing it to her then run off. makes silly noises during meal time to try to steal some attention away from her talkative sister.

-her love language is touch. loves to be rocked for a little bit with her blankets and then patted. sometimes when i am reading her a book she touches and rubs my hands. she also likes to touch my face and say "gentle mama" (she went through a face where she thought it was funny to hit my face and i kept telling her to be gentle). gives us all tons of hugs and kisses.

-a good eater overall. eats most anything and finishes what is in front of her a majority of the time.

-loves books, will sit on my lap for a long time and read. always says more, more.

-loves little songs. her current favorites are wheels on the bus, heigh ho, Jesus loves the little children (however, does not like Jesus loves me and yells no when i start to sing it) and i want a hippopotamus for christmas. she gets me to sing them for her, especially when she is stalling at bedtime.

-has had 4 ear infections so far. i'm concerned she may have fluid in her middle ear so have scheduled an appointment with and ENT. i was also concerned that this may be contributing to a delay in her speech. while she is still a little behind, she has started talking which is encouraging. this has really helped to cut down on some of her screaming! she is starting to put two words together and her increased communication has really helped her and anna to interact more.

-likes animal books, stuffed animals and loves to make all the animal sounds. she wasn't saying words for the longest time but was doing animal sounds. the cutest is her rooster - da-da-da-da-do!

-after she dropped her morning nap, the girls got into a good sleeping rythym. they sleep about the same amount at night since haven takes a nap during the day and anna doesn't.

-they love sharing a room and giggle at night and in the morning. they will be content for awhile after they wake up which is nice. i used to have to sprint into their room to grab a screaming haven before she woke up anna. when haven wakes up from her naps, she immediately starts asking for anna since she is used to her being there when she wakes up in the mornings. sharing a room was not always easy, but i feel like it is really paying off now.

-you have hit a phase of separation anxiety which is new for you. you have always been fairly independent and not cried when i've left you. of course, i love that i can comfort you so quickly! you usually cry and cling to me when i drop you and anna off at the ymca. the last time i took you, you ran right in, turned away from me and sat down. i thought this was a major breakthrough and you were more comfortable. i glanced back at you before i left and you turned to look at me. you had tears in your eyes and your bottom lip was trembling but you were trying not to cry. it was like you were trying to be strong for me. sweet girl, i think you will be a strong woman of God.

-will sit for long periods of time to play with puzzles. especially loves this bear puzzle from Uncle Michael and Helen...plays with it every single day.