21 Months

These pictures are from bath time tonight. I look at the pictures and look at Gracie and see a growing up little girl versus my baby! It's a bittersweet juxtaposition! Three more months and we can quit using months – she will be plural years! Aaack!

Carl and I finally downloaded the past year's videos from our video camera...I think 78 to be exact. When I get technologically smart I will have to post a goodie from the archive. We sat for about a half an hour watching our girl grow up in fast motion. Her first birthday, her first steps, goofy times with all of us...oh, life is priceless!

Some of Grace's memorable moments from the last month include all the new words she is saying and repeating! Phrases too.

night night

nack (snack)

turtle

sky

moon

happy

house

cheese

peez (please)

cup

cuppy (cupcake)

cookie

up, peez (up, please)

tay (thank you)

tirsty (thirsty)

wa (water)

oh no!

bath

wash

yeah, yup, yesh (various forms of yes.) :)

hee hee (excuse me)

all duh (all done)

all gah (all gone)

Gampy (Grampy – he is the last to be honored...Papa, Nana, and Mimi already heard their sweet names from the babe's mouth.)

She identifies lots of family and friends' names, can name lots of body parts, has a very keen sense of hearing (she will always stop and pause and make sure we notice when an airplane flies overhead, or a flock of geese.) The other day I was doing laundry and she took a cloth bib off the top of the pile, walked it to the kitchen and put it in the correct spot in the right drawer! I was pleasantly surprised! She squeals with delight when her daddy gets home from work. Her appetite varies so much. One week she eats like a horse and other nights she picks and only eats one thing. She has taken to laying down in whatever spot she's in when she has a dirty diaper, lifting her legs up and pointing to her bottom! Now if only potty training were so easy.

She love love loves to go and be outside on the warmer days we've had. We take long walks and she likes to play with our dogs in the backyard too. She is VERY particular about any speck of anything that doesn't belong – crumb on her highchair tray, a fuzz in the bathtub or on the carpet. She lets us know right away that it must be taken care of!

We are working on becoming less terrified of the vacuum cleaner. She is brought to tears every time I use it, and even the mention of its name brings a look of disgust and concern to her face. The other day I used it for the first time without simultaneously holding her. While it was a good workout, she needs to learn she'll survive its monstrous noises and scary motions. So, she did watch from the sidelines without falling to pieces. Sometimes it's the little things that count as victory!

Carl and I continue to marvel at what pure joy she brings to our lives and how good God is for reminding us that we are His children through giving us children of our own. We have a lot to learn! Happy 21 months, dear Gracie!