Hannah: 2 Years Old

Hannah turned two on September 10, and this big ole girl is something else. She's the funniest, sassiest, sweetest and cutest person I've ever met. She loves to run over, lean in and rest her head on someone and say "awwwww." She comes up to me at least once an hour and pats me on the leg and says "Mommy kay?" to make sure I'm ok. She's very thoughtful and sweet. She loves giving kisses (luckily she puckers up now instead of opening her mouth wide!). She loves hugs, high fives, sitting "wit me!", exclaiming happily "got it!" whens she figures something out, and walking into a room and saying "Boo!!" while waiting for your scared reaction.

She is great at pushing boundaries and going as far as she can before running over and giving a quick side hug to appease whoever she's working on. She'll furrow her brows, tilt her head down and give the most serious face she can (she's Andrew's kid!!) before bursting into a big smile and laughing. She gets whiny when she's tired and super grumpy when she's hangry. A spoonful of peanut butter usually sets her right. (she is my child after all!).

Hannah spends many Sundays with  my mom, Grandma (Momma), and excitedly talks about Momma anytime she wants to go somewhere. When she plays with her toy phones it's always Momma that is on the other line. Apparently she doesn't take calls from anyone else. (I am Mommy, Grandma is Momma).

Once she sets her mind to something, it's all she can think about. If she's going to see Nana and we tell her, she repeatedly asks for Nana until she arrives. She must have a pretty good time at Nana and Papa Chip's house!

She likes to let us know she "want bye bye" if we've been home too long. She'll also tell us when she's ready for bed "I want nigh-nap!" Too easy to get this girl to sleep. (she is my child after all!). This kid is a jabberbox and can usually request what she wants. She may not have the specific word for it, but we know most of her code words. Of course there are plenty of times she says things that make no sense to us but she knows exactly what she's saying.

She's doing Mother's Day Out 5 days a week from 9-2 and loves it there. She asks for Nenny (Wendy, her teacher) all the time. We've started to think Nenny is any of her teachers because she talks about her even on days Wendy isn't there. But if you show her a picture she's colored she always says it was with Nenny. She loves going to the playground, cooking in the toy kitchen and playing with her friends.

She takes one nap per day, goes down about 7:30 and sleeps until about 7 am. We transitioned to her big girl bed about 2 months ago and she handled it like a champ!! The only downside is she climbs out of bed at 7 am and sits and knocks on her door and calls us. (she used to sleep until about 8, but she definitely gets up earlier now).

We haven't started any potty training although she tells us when she's doing business and is probably close to begin ready. Honestly, I'm not ready. It's just not time yet. For now she tolerates diaper changes.

She's obsessed with watching cartoons on our phones, which she lovingly calls Momo. (She started off watching Elmo on the phone so she thinks it's called Momo). She has a serious Peppa Pig obsession, followed closely by My Little Pony (which she calls Mew Mews).

We are teaching a Mommy and Me ballet class every week and while she doesn't do much in class, I catch her practicing her moves at home pretty often. As a proud mommy I have to say she's got a beautifully natural high relevè!! I hope she has the love and passion for dance like I did, but I want her to find her own calling in life. Fingers crossed its in the dance studio like me!!

Our work schedules are really crazy right now so she tends to spend more time at home with Andrew than me lately. Girl friend loves her daddy, but when I'm home it's usually after we haven't seen much of each other for a few days so Mommy takes top notch after a few doubles. Its so sweet and exhausting, after working 3 doubles in a row I just want to sleep, but Baby wants to cuddle. I try to remind myself that this time is so fleeting that I need to take every cuddle and hug she'll give.

Overall our girl is smart, funny and so loving. We wouldn't trade her or change anything about our big ole 2 year old!! We love you Baby!!!

Hannah: 18 Months

24 pounds

31.50 inches tall

I haven't done a Baby update since Hannah turned 1, so this one is long past due! This big ole girl blows us away every day with her cuteness, sweetness, intelligence and sass. She's just the most perfect little girl we could have asked for and we thank our lucky stars every day that we were blessed with her little life. Now enough mushy stuff, how about some updates?!

Size: This little chickadee weighed in at 24 pounds and almost 32 inches tall. She's in the 40th percentile for height and 60th for weight. I think about half of that weight is in her belly. Girl friend rocks one of the best Buddha bellies I've ever seen! It's the funniest thing. I think she's gone through a height growth spurt lately because she's starting to flood a little bit in some pants that were previously too long. She's still a shorty like Mama, bless her short little legs! Not only are the pants getting short, but her belly hangs out the bottom of some of her t-shirts. Andrew has taken to calling her Rachel when her belly hangs out (Rachel from Friends, when she was pregnant she continued wearing her old t-shirts and rocked the underbelly lol).

Clothes: Hannah is currently on the cusp of 18 month and 24 month clothes. The 18 months are getting a little tight around the shoulders and are harder to get on and off, but the 24 month stuff is still a little too long for her. She'll probably always be built like me where getting things to fit her girth makes them too long in length. 

Vocabulary: Big girl currently has about 20 words, some more clear than others. We keep a running list on a dry erase board to track her vocabulary development. Her first word was baby (still a favorite), but her favorite words are shoes, cheese, uh oh, what's that, Mommy, Daddy and Stella. A funny thing, her words for shoes, cheese and juice all sound almost identical. Shoes is the cutest and sounds like "chew-ssss" in the sweetest voice.

She also has one word in Spanish: hola. Neither Andrew nor myself are fluent in Spanish but we both speak varying amounts. My hope is for Hannah to love the language and have the appreciation for it that I do, so we speak to her in Spanish a fair amount. So far she enjoys saying hola to people, particularly while we're grocery shopping. haha

Food: Hannah loves to eat. She does 3 meals and 2 snacks a day. She loves fresh fruit and most vegetables. Her favorites are: broccoli, tomatoes, pears, blueberries, green beans, yogurt, cereal, french fries (she is still a kid and human!), chicken with marinades like lemon pepper, catalina, teriyaki (sometimes). She does not like macaroni and cheese, many pastas (she's particular about noodles), carrots, potatoes a lot of breads. I guess she's not a carb eater. Wonder where she got that from!?

Drink: We weaned Hannah off bottles and the little bit of formula she was still taking around 17 months. We'd planned on weaning her sooner but she kept getting sick and the bottle was her main comfort. Finally we bit the bullet and expected it to be a long weekend, but she did great! We had one last bedtime bottle on a Friday night, then when she woke Saturday morning bottles were no longer a thing. She only asked a few times but was satisfied with her sippy cup of milk. Hooray!

We do about 3 cups of milk a day, plus ice water (water without ice just isn't good enough I guess), and fresh made juices. She doesn't get bottled juices, so when I make a juice for myself I pour some over ice in her sippy and add a splash of water. I don't dilute her juices very much since they are fresh and she only drinks an ounce or two anyway.

Sleep: Hannah wakes up around 7:30 or 8 each morning and usually plays happily in her crib for about 20-30 minutes before she starts fussing. Once she starts that we go in and get her up. She takes 1 nap around 11:30, which usually lasts about an hour and a half, sometimes 2 hours. She has pretty much cut out her second nap, but she can't quite make it to dinner happily without it yet so we do "quiet time" where we lay her down just like any other nap, but she doesn't sleep. She lays down, tosses and turns, sits in her crib sucking her thumb for about 45 minutes to an hour. Sometimes she'll take a 10-15 minute power nap, but usually she just lounges. Honestly I'm surprised she doesn't pitch a fit every day, but the quiet time lets her decompress and calm down enough to be mostly renewed and happy when she gets up. Then she goes to bed between 7 and 7:30. I didn't think I'd ever put her down that early, but when she cut out the second nap she naturally moved her bedtime up and it seems to be working. Surprisingly Daylight Savings Time hasn't affected her sleep very much. It's very strange putting her down when the sun is still up, though.

Skills: I'm not exactly sure what skills she should have now, but she seems pretty perfect to us so I guess she's on track? She walks, runs, climbs, jumps (very awkwardly!). She hasn't figured out silverware yet and can't always get the right shape into the right hole in the sorting toys, but she tries (until she gets frustrated and throws it...can we say like Daddy?!). If you ask her to go fetch you an item she is familiar with she most always complies (especially if it's her beloved shoes!). She understands "close and open," "on and off," "Yes and no" (although she doesn't always obey. She knows what Sit down means, but definitely doesn't always listen to that. She's a work in progress but doing better when it comes to gentle pets for the cats. She still grabs fur if they linger too close.

Favorites: She still loves talking about Stella, shoes, purses, jumping in her crib when she wakes up, calling Mommy & Daddy, visiting Grandma and backpacking through the neighborhood, zoo trips, walking at the park and playing on the swing. She loves standing on our back porch and "helping" throw sticks, acorn hulls or leaves over the edge. Any baby we see she has to point out and yell "Baby!"

School: Baby is a pro at Mother's Day Out and attends 5 days a week from 9-2. Every day when I pick her up and ask how her day was the teachers say, "Awesome, like always!" Teacher reports say she's one of the most social and easy going kids. She likes to pick up lovies and pacis from the floor to return to their rightful owner, she always helps make the new kids feel welcome and rarely has a bad day. She really is the sweetest! Just recently she's stopped running to me when I walk in the door. Now she wants to come say a quick hello, then go back to playing until I make her leave. Glad she loves school so much!

Sickness/Health: Girl friend got tubes in her ears in January and they've made a huge difference! She's had a few bugs over the winter and can't seem to stay well, but I'm hopeful once the cold season passes she'll be better! She keeps a cold and runny nose like nobodies business. We are currently trying to fend off some congestion and get her back to 100%.

Our girl is sweet, smart, sassy, playful, affectionate, loves to give big, sloppy open-mouth kisses and is generally the best baby I could have ever asked for. It's such a joy to watch her grow and learn and develop new words, tricks and skills. Each day is more and more fun with the new things she's learning. I love the age she's at now, but love watching her grow and learn even more! Love you Baby!!

Hannah: 12 Months

21 pounds 4 ounces

29 inches

Hannah, my big sweet 1 year old!!! Girl, you are one year old and your daddy and I simply can't believe it. The past year flew by at record speed. You grew faster than we could keep up. Your development exploded in the last few months, both verbally, physically, socially. You are keeping us on our toes (and you stay on your toes as well!). 

Aside from turning 1 (!!!!) this past month was fairly tame. Sadly we started the first day of this month with your first real throw up. You'd been running a slight fever which we attributed to teething, woke up in the middle of the night fussing so I went in to give you some tylenol, which you immediately barfed all over me. It was really gross and pretty pitiful. Daddy cleaned you up while I cleaned myself up, then we laid you down and you passed right back out. You were a little worse for the wear the next day, but thankfully that was the end of the upset tummy.

We started back at Mother's Day Out for the school year and you and I were both so excited! We kept your teachers from the summer term, which we were super excited about. When we walked in to school that first day you immediately smiled when you realized where you were going. The mental, social and developmental stimulation you get at school is priceless. We love our teachers at Mother's Day Out!!

We helped our good friend Grayson celebrate his 2nd birthday and you were all too eager to help eat my piece of cake and ice cream! It's fun to help party with our friends now that you're mobile and interactive.

This month was full of hard knocks including a busted lip, a black eye and miscellaneous bumps and bruises. You looked pretty banged up most days, but you're tough and we survived.

You became a professional at smashing cake. We did a mini cupcake at home the night before your birthday, sent mini cupcakes to school, went to The Cheesecake Factory for dinner and you smashed cake there, then by your actual party, girl, you went to town!! It was so cute and funny. I'm glad we did the practice runs so you didn't get to the party and look all confused. 

Your verbal skills have gone through the roof. As of now you say: Baby, bye bye, bites, bottle, Mommy, Daddy, Maggie (daycare teacher), cat. Now some of these words don't sound exact, like cat is more of -dat, or -kiddy. Bite is 'biiit, with a soft T.  You wave, clap, give high fives. We're working on blowing kisses.

You pull up on everything, cruise the furniture and have started letting go of things while standing. You end up on your tush pretty quickly and usually with a startled look on your face. Your doctor thinks you'll be walking very soon, but for now you fall into the "quick to talk slow to walk" category. (Even though 12 months isn't technically slow). 

Big girl, Daddy and I have such wonderful hopes and dreams for you. We know you will conquer the world with your smarts and your smile. Your laugh is deep and contagious. You wake up happy and usually go to bed happy. When you meet new people you watch them closely, usually bury your face in my shoulder for a minute, and then after about 5 minutes you warm up and talk their ear off, smile at them and wave excitedly.  You are not shy, by any means, you just need a few minutes to decide whether you feel like telling someone about your day. 

We love you so much, and it has been the biggest joy of our lives to watch you grow and help shape you into the beautiful, smart, funny human being you are becoming. We can't wait to see what the next year has in store for our family and for you!! We love you Baby!!

love,

Mommy & Daddy

Hannah: 11 Months

~21.8 pounds

~28.5 inches

Sweet Hannah,

Somehow, and I'm not sure how, but somehow we have made our way to month 11. One month shy of being 1 year old. I'm in denial. I can't believe that my little baby is almost 1. I'm planning your party, invitations are ordered, the venue is booked (which is actually Nana and Papa Chip's house!), the date is set. It's all coming fast and furious. But for now, you're 11 months old. If I could freeze you at this age I would. You are so fun and happy and full of life. Every day and every outing is a new adventure. I ask you if you're Mama's big girl or Daddy's big girl. You usually respond with jabbery noises or dadadada (which does not mean you're agreeing to being Daddy's big girl!).

We started off the month in Orlando, Florida, visiting Grandpa and Grandma Tammy. We had such a good time with all of our family there. You were a hit, to say the least! In addition to visiting family we also did a day trip to Sea World and an overnight trip to St. Augustine. While we were on vacation you decided to practice and perfect all these cool tricks that you had seen at daycare. You mastered the army crawl, started clapping (especially for yourself), giving sloppy kisses, going from tummy to sitting up, and waving. It was insane how much you exploded.

We saw the end of MDO, which was very sad. You've spent the last 3 interim weeks with me at home, but after your taste of socialization and activity I am just not enough anymore. We have to get out of the house at least once a day, even if it's just to go walk around Target. We've done more zoo trips in the last 3 weeks than we have all year! Fun thing about the zoo these days, you finally have started noticing the animals!! We've also been to the Botanical Gardens twice. MDO picks back up next week and we are both very excited!

We welcomed a new family member this month, Cousin Kirra!! She came early like you and we are still (un)patiently waiting for her to be released from the NICU. We went to her baby shower and you were such a good girl. Just amazed at all the people, most of whom were different than who you are used to seeing, and hearing. This was a Filipino party and at first you were a little unsure. They were excited and loud and speaking another language. Before long though you were ready to party and hung in there really well despite being hot and tired. It was your first baby shower!

You've become a professional jabberbox. You changed from making the same sounds (ma-ma-ma, da-da-da) to conversational talk. You make different sounds, use inflection, act like you're responding to questions and comments. It's really too cute. You are a talkative girl!! In addition to these talking sessions, you said your first purposeful word, BABY! We look at the pictures and art you made for Daddy on Father's Day and point to it and ask who it is, then we say baby. Now every time you see another baby, a mirror, a picture of a baby, a box of diapers with a baby on it -- you said baby. It's the cutest word I've ever heard.

You mastered a new cool trick at the end of the month -- standing up in your crib! You started pulling up on anything you can get your hands on, playing on your knees and standing up (while holding onto things). You are SO proud of yourself, and so are we. After you wake from naps you stand in your crib and just jabber away. Unless we take too long in getting you up, then you cry.

On the last day of your month we went to Marion to meet family from my dad's side. I've decided to call him Paw Paw. We went to the cemetery and stood at his grave site and talked for a bit. I told him about you, and told you about him and how much he would love you. It was nice to be close to him again and let you get to know him. We tried to visit with some other family members but they had other plans so it wasn't much time with them.

I've started planning your 1st birthday party and part of it includes a ball pit. We broke it out one night and let you test it out and it was just too cute. You thought it was so much fun. We don't leave it out all the time (because hello, it's messy!) but when we get it out you love to take the balls out of the pit, bang them together and then drop them, pick up 2 more and start over again. 

This month was so much fun, so full of new milestones and fun times. Every month feels like my favorite, and this month was so different. I'm so in love with you and the fun, happy little girl you are growing into. We love you Baby!!!

Hannah: 10 Months

We didn't measure you this month. Awful parents!! ;)

My dear Hannah,

I have neglected the blog and missed your 10 month post, so I'm going to do a quick post on 10 months and our usual longer one for 11 months.

As a 9 month old big girl you did lots of fun things! You went to Mother's Day Out (MDO from here on out) and made lots of friends. While you were there you watched the other babies and just took it all in. You got used to having a snack every morning at school (usually puffs or yogurt bites). This acted as the introduction to eating like a big girl! You did lots of finger foods and worked on perfecting your pincer skills. We tried a sippy cup but you just chewed on the straw. It's a start though.

When you started MDO you were not sitting unassisted completely. You were darn close, but not quite there. Well 2 weeks of school and seeing the other kids and you perfected it. Along with sitting, you also learned how to crawl (army style!). I fully believe that seeing other kids on a daily basis gave you the push you needed to increase your gross motor movements. The army crawl wasn't pretty, but it got you places.

We enjoyed cousin Liam's first birthday and this counted as your first birthday party! You were a little taken aback by all the people at Aunt Shannon's house but you found a toy and made yourself right at home. We also did a fun outing with out Cheesecake family at Oak Mountain. You're so cute and friendly you were a hit! (Daddy shows your pictures and video off at work all the time, and I share you a lot on facebook so everyone already feels like they know you, so hanging out with you in person just solidifies those relationships. It's amazing how many people care about you!)

The summer kickball season started and we kicked it off with breaking in the back pack Grandma got us for Christmas. You loved it! You thought you were such a big girl!! We hit up a couple of kickball games and you loved the fresh air, people milling about and the attention.

Month 10 went by really quickly, as with all the months so far. Your mastery of crawling introduced a whole new stage, and a new part of your personality. You became so much happier (than you already were!) since you were able to sit up and see the world on your own terms and do a little moving. 

We love you so much silly girl!!