What happened today...

Well, as always, you wanted to sing puff the magic dragon... a lot. Max is here and you made him hide under the throw pillows with you. You let Emily put you down for a nap... this is the first time you ever went down for anyone but me or daddy... or papa and nana... I guess that happened. Oh. And Samantha Bell. But those were more like you fell asleep, not went down.

We tried kiwano. Let's just say... no. You loved an icy spinach, kale, raspberry, blueberry, oat, Greek yogurt and kefir smoothie I made you. You also love to sit on the counter. 

Random things I love

-How you sing Puff the Magic Dragon over and over and cue us a word from the next line when we sing it to you
-How you love to press your cheek against Jack's
-you line up your 'friends' from Daniel Tiger in the same order over and over (Daniel, Miss Elaina, Wednesday, Katerina and O)
-You say 'woo-foo!' as an owl sound

I hope I can remember to add more daily...

You are 2!

I clearly need to go back and fill in some gaps, but I just have been thinking about how much I love you. You are a big sister now, and you are an AMAZING big sister at that. You love Jack so much and give him so many hugs and kisses that we have to hold you back a bit.

You are getting so good at talking and are so fun to be with. Every day when Daddy gets home we go and sit it the doorway in the garage until he has pulled up and I tell you to go. You run and grab his door handle, and I think you think you are opening his door. :) You are giggles and dimples as he gets home.

We just got a pass to the aquarium and you LOVED the fish. I'm excited to go again. You also rode the train at the train park in Scottsdale this week and it was so fun. I'm so in love with you little girl! :)

Months Six, Seven and Eight!

The first half of your first year

Oh my goodness, Autumn Raine. My heart is a bit somber, yet filled with gratitude right now. Tomorrow you will be six months old, and our first year together will have reached its halfway point.

I heard a story once about a girl who told her dad when she got her license, that it was the happiest day of her life. He told her he was glad she was happy but told her it wasn't the happiest day yet. Then on her Prom day, the same thing. 'I'm glad you are happy, but this isn't the happiest day yet.' Again, her wedding day came, and she said, 'I KNOW this has to be the happiest day.' He told her it was close, but this wasn't it yet. Finally, the day she had her own baby in her arms she said, 'Dad, THIS is the happiest day of my life.' He just looked at her and said, 'Yeah. It is.'

This sums it up for me. You being here with me is the ultimate representation of all my dreams so far being a reality. I am married to the greatest man I could ever have found for myself, and we have the most beautiful angelic baby. You both are far above and beyond my wildest dreams. 

All I can say is thanks for coming to me. Every day, every smile, every new skill, everything you do completes our lives. The only thing I look forward to in the future is seeing you feel this incredible love and ultimate joy of holding your own sweet baby. 

I love you so much sweetheart. 

Five months old

Also loves: Red Solo Cups & Step & Play toy. 

Also is learning to cope with: Fruit in general. 

New Awareness

So we have had this place center that you have been in several times now. We borrowed it from my friend, Jessica. Tonight you were refusing to take your evening nap, so I just gave up and put you in it. 

Well, you're unbelievably more aware of all the different toys in it tonight! Pretty exciting! You are currently looking at yourself in the mirror, all on your own! 

By the time you realize what all of this means, you won't really think that that's too exciting. But one day when you're a mom and you have your little baby you'll realize how amazing it really is! I love that I get to spend this time with you. You are the sweetest, most beautiful baby in the world!