One Year Old-E

Happy Birthday is long overdue. Technically still your birthday month I think I'm forgiven, right? (Posting in May, a day late and a dollar short, better late than never...)

You've changed quite a bit in these last few weeks. The girl you were on your first birthday is not the one walking before me, 'cause you weren't really walking. You are busy, toddling everywhere. Your gait is similar to that of your sister but I feel like your backside sticks out more, reminding me of a woman well beyond your one year. You are babbling all the time, so much to say. You are pointing, sometimes with gusto when your first request isn't met/understood.

You are very sensitive, it doesn't take much to see you in tears, it doesn't take much to get you laughing either. Especially if you are Isabel. You two are going to be thick as thieves someday. I think you genuinely enjoy one another's company already.  

Finding shoes for you has been a challenge. There is a serious shortage of size 2 shoes. I guess you are walking before the curve. 

You are still a cuddler. Giving hugs and kisses unsolicited, always ready for affection. Thanks for being our sweet and cheerful Evangeline.

11mo-E

You are almost there kid! Such an exciting milestone to be one year old. However, let us not forget the feat of turning 11 months old, which is also very exciting. 

You are making lots of connections, using more sign language, reaching when you want to be held, babbling and also bringing me sisters hair ties and bows then placing them on your head. I of course am happy to indulge any girl of mine who wants hair accessories. 

You are into EVERYthing. Your favorite sources of mischief: dad's nightstand, mom's purse and everyone's favorite: the stairs. One of these days I'm gonna put a bell on the bottom step so we know that you've scaled the barriers. 

You are taking an interest in books, turning pages as well as ripping and eating them. Your only real frustration is when you want something but I make you sign for it first, I don't know where you get that stubborn streak from (I'll wink my eye for your benefit).

You aren't quite as interested in walking as I'd like you to be. You will walk assisted, which is so precious to see you and sister walk across the yard hand in hand, but you are destroying your pants crawling around the patio so anytime you'd like to give it a go, really any time, you have my full blessing. 

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Beautiful girl, you cut your first molar this month, are continuing to sleep for 8ish hours uninterrupted, eating an all table food diet and play so nicely with your sister. You are my favorite Evangeline, loves to you!

Happy 3rd Birthday- I

Happy 3rd Birthday Isabel! This year was your first birthday party (aside from our living room of course) and the first time you requested the food (hot dogs and apple pie ala mode). 

We love your excitement for life, for both the mundane and the special.

You are a lover of people. Last month as we pulled into a deserted park, my favorite, you asked where all the people are. First thought out of your mouth. An outing can't be an outing without friends.

You still love Christmas songs, weeks later you still request Silent Night at bedtime, every night, without fail.

Your favorites this month are Fancy Nancy books, frozen yogurt (fruit mixed with yogurt then frozen), stickers, dollhouses, playing "restaurant" , and playdates. 

You have fantastic retention and memorization skills. You've been soaking up Bible lessons, catechism answers and preschool lessons like mad. Ah to be young and curious. 

This last year you mastered giving up the pacifier, sleeping in a toddler bed, potty training, becoming a big sister, unloading your half of the dishwasher and going to sleep unassisted sans yelling and crying. 

I look forward to the milestones this next year has to offer. Much love to my enthusiastic, sweet and curious girl!

10 months- E

I know the above is fuzzy but I couldn't resist showing off your excellent waving skills. Happy 10 months girl. This weekend as you hit your milestone your sister turned 3. Nothing can make you smile and wave quite like her (see above photo). 

This week you took your first steps, a happy surprise for us all. You are also looking less like your sister and more like your father, if that's even possible. People often draw from the same comment pool: 

How do you have two blonde children?

Where did the blue eyes come from?

Her face looks exactly like her father, like exactly!

You pull it all off with such style and class. 

You have the greatest hair, a natural vibe, I'm sure, hipsters everywhere are envious of. 

You have two little friends that you are crazy about, head butting them and tackling them to the ground in your love and enthusiasm. Maybe you'll love people as much as your sister. 

We love to see your personality develop as you come into your own. Welcome to the double digits my girl. Hugs and kisses. 

9 Months- E

Happy New Year girl and happy nine months!

This month you are beginning to stand for longer periods unassisted, fussing when a toy is taken from you, crawling with speed, and signing and verbalizing more. 

Your sleep is sporadic at best. The length of your stretches is a formula I struggle to recreate. Was it the temperature, the full belly, the full diaper, the pajamas, the bath at night, the length between naps, the stimulation during the day? If only I could solve the puzzle as to what makes you sleep often and longer. If I could master those questions I'm sure I'd be a happier me, or at least  a better rested me, as would you. And so I relish the times you give me more, longer naps and fuller nights are the way to my heart. 

To our delight you have also learned to play peek-a-boo, dance to music and clap to the songs we've taught you. It is oh so cute. 

This month you have also started to give us the "evie smile"which includes scrunching your eyes up as you smile and engage with us. It's wonderful 'cause I know you are imitating what you see us do, absorbing and implementing is the name of your game. I can't wait to see what else you've been learning!

8 Months- E

Evangeline, Happy 8 months! I'm not sure if it's because Dad and I know a little more this go round or if you are worlds apart from your sister but there is so much about you that seems relaxed, laid back and easy going. 

Easy going but also growing quickly. You can climb the stairs now, and the fireplace hearth, discoveries we made as we heard you several stairs up- whoops. You can now say "dada" and "mama". I think for your next trick you should try "bell" or something to that effect. 

You have six teeth now and are eating most of what we do. 

Your sister is your greatest source of entertainment, thankfully she just can't seem to get enough of you either. I think you'll make great play mates when you're older. 

We are still honing your sleeping skills. If you are anything like your sister it's a skill, I'm sorry to say, that will take many more moons to perfect. Good thing we love you so. Here's to another month of exploration and curiosity. 

If you knew I was writing this you could impress us with you're waving skills, also learned this month, "bye-bye".

7 months-E

Happy 7 months sweet child of mine. In honor of you, 7 words for 7 months. 

Curious. Joyful. Relaxed

Content. Growing

Sweet. Clever