Happy Easter!

We celebrated Easter yesterday, and that was fun. We went to church and there were so many people there! I got to show off my new dress and sweater. Or I should say Mom got to show off my new dress and sweater.


Then later we had an Easter egg hunt! Even though I got to practice with Mikey and Luke the weekend before,


Sam was pretty stiff competition. I even got to eat two chocolate eggs, to which I said (while practically vibrating a few minutes later), "I LIKE chocolate!"

Quote board 3/29/10

"Yummy tacos are delicious and nutritious!"

Quote board 3/27/10

"Daddy is a silly billy."

She later proclaimed Daddy to be a lady. But that's okay, because Jane is usually "a boy!"

Practice Makes Perfect

Two days ago, I was turning around and crawling down this step like a baby. Not anymore!

AND I climbed up on top of a (low) table today. Whoa.

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18 Months Old!

Wow, Janebug. You are like a full-fledged person all of a sudden. You can just do so much for yourself now. Ok, so you still can't climb into a chair, use the potty (which, no, we are not expecting at 18 months), or get your own food, but you are getting really adept at asking for what you want... in very specific terms.

"Music please"

"No... different music"

"Another song"

"Off!"

"Music please!"

And so on. This is the first 5 seconds (and every 5 seconds thereafter) of every car trip. You've even started applying this attitude to the songs I sing you at bedtime. You request songs, but then you don't like any I come up with. Do you offer suggestions? Sometimes, but mostly you just demand "another song" as if I'm some sort of soft, cozy jukebox. Sigh. When this is not (ever so slightly) infuriating, it's really adorable.


You are getting really good at entertaining yourself, which is fun to watch. You sit for long periods of time "reading" your books to yourself. You also "cook" at your play kitchen, which apparently only involves stirring things in bowls. I think this is because that's how you help me in the kitchen. You get to stir things until the flour starts flying all over, and sometimes even a while after that.


I'm trying not to fall back on path of least resistance parenting, since running after one baby while growing another is apparently rather tiring. That means remembering to let you make big, fun, messes, and then cleaning them up together. You've gotten pretty adept at wiping up the floor with a rag. You are so helpful, my dear.


Speaking of growing the other baby, we found out the other day your little sibling is going to be a boy. That's right... a baby brother, just for you! Fun! Grandma came for a visit recently and brought you your very own baby doll to take care of. You've started giving it a bottle, singing it lullabies, and rocking it. It is too cute. You are going to be a great big sister.


The weather is finally getting nice, and we've been playing outside as much as possible. You love being outside so much -- we have been having so much fun blowing bubbles, riding your bike (thanks, Katie & Logan!), working in the garden, running around, and going to the park. I'm just trying to keep up!


Love,
Mommy

Florida Trip - More Pictures

Brr... too cold to swim.


Papa must've read this book 20 times that day.


Ring Around the Rosy with cousins Samantha and Ava.


A rare quiet moment.


Thanks to Aunt Corrie for all the great photos!

Seventeen Months Old!

Hello, my darling! You are loads of fun these days, and it is so wonderful to watch your personality develop. You are a full-on toddler now, with all the delights that brings. One minute, you can be unbelievably sweet and funny, and another minute, you'll be yelling in frustration and wrestling away from me. You have been a bit sick the last couple of weeks with a persistent ear infection, but you are still usually a happy girl.


We went to visit Papa in Florida last month, which you loved. You had so much fun at the beach, and you're still talking about the sand, collecting seashells, the airport, and the cool bucket Papa bought you. We've also been attending the tot spot at the park district gym, regular play dates with Sam and Polly, and your beloved music class. You get so excited for music class, you are dancing from the moment we walk through the door, and you talk about it all week.


Your new favorite games seem to be (laundry) basketball, plane/train/bus spotting, playing the "pianino," making phone calls, and doing everything by yourself. You can count to 16, because that is the number of steps in our house, and you can sort of "walk" up them, holding onto the wall for support. You surprised us and others sitting nearby at church the other day by reciting the entire alphabet aloud!


You have quite a few little phrases in your repertoire now, which you have learned to use to indicate what you want (usually food), and charm Daddy and me into giving it to you. Here are some examples:

• Get it, hold that, eat it, etc.
• Want some
• No, Jane! (wants to do it herself)
• Cheers! (you can interrupt dinner anytime with this fun new trick)
• I don't know (who dumped all the stuffed animals on the floor, Daddy)
• Bus! Another bus!
• I'm sorry (I colored on the dining room wall -- can I have my crayons back?)
• Amen, sister!
• Where's Jane? or Where did Jane go?
• Bad dog! (poor Mayday)

You also use intangible words like "cool," "beautiful" and "funny," which I think is pretty awesome. Yeah, you know that one, too. I clearly need to expand my vocabulary! It is just fascinating to watch you pick up language. You are always asking "wassat?" and you seem to remember everything we tell you.


You have noticed that my belly is getting bigger, too. So far you've discovered it's really fun to play with, and I wonder what you think of it. Your book about where polar bear babies come from describes the baby being "warm and cozy" in its mommy's belly, and you have taken to describing my belly as warm and cozy. Still, I think it's far fetched to think you have any idea what's going to happen.

Part of me is sad that the time when it's just the three of us has an expiration date, and part of me is so excited for you to have a sibling. I'm just enjoying every last moment until our happy little world is temporarily upended to welcome your new baby brother or sister. It will be a crazy, joyful ride, I'm sure!

Love,
Mommy