18 Months

I can't believe my cute little thing is 18 months! You went to nursery for the first time today, and did great! You are still my little baby, and can't believe you are old enough to be in there.  You make me so happy. You are such a joy and know how to make me smile everyday. Some of your favorite things right now are:

Your "cee-cee" or toothbrush with "bubble" or toothpaste.
"Ah-me" this means you usually wants any sort of candy or treat you can get her cute little hands on.
Books... you love, love to just sit down on my lap and flip through stacks of books. I love it too.
Your "binkie" and her "binkie". Translation: your binkie and your blankie.
Wants a book when you goe down for her nap now.
You also have to have every blanket in sight stacked on top of you while I sing to you before I lay you down for bed.
"go-go"...go-gurts
You loves putting on Gavin's clothes. Almost everyday you grabs one of his shirts or pjs and wants us to put them on. Sometimes you want his underwear on too. You'll walk around all day in his clothes. So dang cute.
You love to go outside and walk around.
You're afraid of ants.

I can't imagine my life without my sweet girl. I feel so blessed to be your mother and just want to squeeze you every chance I get. You have such a fun and happy personality. You are starting to get a little fight in you and know what you want. I love to see you become your own person, and hope that I can let you always be yourself and support you and love you in everything you want to do in life. You have so much ahead of you in this life, and I hope I can be the best example for you. Always trust in your Heavenly Father and remember the importance of prayer. Stop growing baby girl. Love you always.

First day in nursery

Cute little pigtails

Just having fun in your Halloween costume from last year.

Looking at the geese outside with your dad.

Painting at the children's museum in Pittsburgh, PA.

Some more fun at the children's museum.

Swimming in the Marriott hotel in Pittsburgh. We spent a few days here with Grandma and Grandpa Merrill.

Daddy's Girl

You love your Daddy. You go around the house looking for him calling, "DaDa". You love to snuggle with him. It is so cute. I love that you love him so much. He loves you more than you will ever know. You are his little baby girl.

Beautiful Girl

While we were in Utah for Thanksgiving your Aunt Corinne took these beautiful photos of you. You have the most beautiful eyes. I love your cute smile and the four little teeth that you have. You love to give big cheesy grins where your eyes are practically closed. It is so cute. You have started talking more and can say a few words that you have just picked up in the last couple days. You say:
Mama
Dada
Shower, or "Showw"
Book  or "Buuu"
Good girl or....I don't even know how to try and spell that one out. :)
And you can say Gavin in your own special way :)

You love Gavin, and are always trying to give him hugs. Usually he loves to hug you back, but not usually when he's watching a show. :) You love taking showers with me every morning. You are ticked if I don't let you in with me, and you are pretty darn cute in the shower. You are still a great sleeper at night, and love to snuggle with your blankies.
You have been sick this past week with "croup". You got a steroid from the doctor that helped with your little horse sounding cough. Now...no more fever, and you are are feeling much better. I am a happy mama.
You get so excited when your Daddy comes home. You love to give him big squeezes, and hop on his lap when he eats his dinner...and try to eat all of his food after you have already eaten. He loves it, and loves you more than anything in the world.

One

The day has come and gone...you turned one! We are here at Grandma and Grandpa Merrill's house for September and October while your dad finishes his last two externships. We miss him so much, but are glad to be here with some family. So, we celebrated your birthday here. You loved your cake and couldn't wait to get your hands on it. Your dad was able to be with us via skype.

I feel so blessed to be your mom Ruby. You are such a happy baby, and make me smile every time I see you. You bring so much joy into my life. I love coming into your room when you wake up in the morning and you are rolling around snuggling and playing with your blankies. You always greet me with a big smile. You go to bed so well. I just lay you down and you put yourself to sleep. I love watching you play with your brother, and how he makes you smile and laugh. You two are the most important things in my life. So glad you became a part of our family one year ago. I love you so much and am so happy that I get to spend my days with you.

Some of the things you love/do right now are:

 

head butts

go-gurts in the morning with Gavin

showing me where your belly button is

stuffed animals

almost walking...you have taken some steps, and can do it, but crawling is quicker ;)

you can scream pretty loud

smoothies

playing with Gavin