long weekend

This was a really great weekend for us.  Chloe and I spent the weekend at my parents’ house and then Chloe stayed with them another night while I went to a 2-day workshop.  She had such a great time with them and seems to have taken the whole temporary change in scenery in stride.  She absolutely amazes me with how much progress she’s made in the last almost eleven months!  I remember not being able to leave the room without her for what seemed like ages without a complete hysterical breakdown.  I remember not being able to leave her with anyone for even a little while for several months, too.  Now she is so full of excitement over pretty much everything that having Grandma and Grandpa to lead around by the hand for a full 48 hours was like an early Christmas present for her!  

I am still not unpacked so I will have to upload pictures later.  Chloe has a new hair cut that is adorable!  Her hair is finally starting to grow in, but was very long in back compared to the short front (mullet, anyone??) Now it’s in beautiful shape to grow into a nice little pixie cut.  Honestly, I can’t wait for her hair to get long enough for me to put cute little bows and ponytails in it, but at this point I’m just really grateful it decided to start growing!

She also has some new dolls that will probably make it on here very soon.  I was afraid my princess was going to be completely anti-girly stuff because of several early failed attempts to buy her the perfect doll that she would love.  We were grocery shopping the other day and wandered down the toy aisle where she fell instantly in love with Dora’s baby brother and sister who are twins and just the right size for Chloe.  I’m going to try really hard to support and encourage whatever interests she develops as she grows up, but for right now I’m enjoying our time playing with babies and I love what a good mama she is to them!

May not sound like much, but if you’ve been there, you’ll know what a huge milestone this weekend was for us and you’ll understand why I’m celebrating.

Two parties in one week

If you ignore the sad look on her face (it’s just because she was hoping for the whole box of fish crackers rather than the small handfull you see on her tray) you will see two stickers on Chloe’s hands that show today’s attempt at potty training was successful!  We’ll see where it goes from here, but for now I’m excited about the progress. 

Last night we went to another birthday party, this one was complete with a yummy cake and party favors.  Chloe spent some quality time spreading her cuteness around the party and tried her best to hide from my camera.  Here are a few of my less-than-successful attempts.  Yes, she was running around a little and playing peek-a-boo between the chairs, but it’s acceptable at this restaurant and we were pretty much the only group there by that time.  Once she gets warmed up she goes until you strap her back in the car seat on the way home.

 

      

Whoa!

This is Chloe’s new phrase for the week.  She has been squealing, giggling, shrieking, etc. for a long time, but now it’s changing.  She is getting to the age where she is starting to give a purpose to her babbling and it is so wonderful to watch.  She is just on the verge of talking up a storm, and I can’t wait.  She is saying some basic words like ball, juice, kitty, peek-a-boo, etc. and is getting very good at finding people’s noses, telling you a cow says moo, and shouting Mom! any time she needs help, wants to make a point, or wants to get my attention.  Back to the Whoa! Last night we went to a Japanese steakhouse for my cousin’s birthday, and every time one of the chefs created any type of fire display, Chloe shouted Whoa! and put her fist in the air.  I do not know where she was this or how she came up with it, but for some reason it stuck me as hilarious.  Here’s a picture, of course it doesn’t quite capture it, but you can get the idea.  

 

You will likely begin to notice a trend that many of Chloe’s happiest pictures are taken of her in a high chair.  Due to some nutrition issues earlier in her life she is still doing some catching up on things and luckily for me she loves to eat!  She will get there one day soon, but right now any time she spends in a high chair eating is a good time for both of us!  Here are just a couple of others from last night…

 

 

Do you think it’s crazy to consider an attempt at potty training at age 20 months?  I think we’re going to casually try it and see where it goes.

Hello world!

The other day I realized that this little baby who had trouble sitting up and no hair whatsoever…

 

…had turned into this little girl, who still has pretty thin hair, but now has more than enough to get all crazy when she sleeps!  In addition to the crazy morning hair, she is a riot!  There is no possible way I will remember all of the wonderful things she does if I do not start writing them down.  As I am not great with baby books or scrap books, I am hoping I will have some success with this.